Sainsbury’s has become the first UK supermarket to have 100% of its fresh Scottish salmon range independently certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
To meet the ASC standard, farms must undertake an independent audit in which they are assessed against criteria including the quality of the water, impact on the seabed and fish health, through to the fair treatment and pay of workers on the farm. Certified farms are re-audited every year and must regularly publish key performance metrics.
Currently nine Scottish salmon farms are ASC certified. According to the latest figures from the Scottish government, as of 2019 there were 226 active salmon farming sites in the country.
“Scottish salmon is a world-famous product, for good reason,” said Chris Ninnes, ASC chief executive. “But it must be produced in a way that also preserves the iconic environment in which it is farmed. Sainsbury’s customers now have the chance to play their part in supporting responsible salmon farming by looking for the ASC logo.”
Sainsbury’s has committed to becoming net zero in its own operations by 2035, five years earlier than its original ambition. Recently the retailer has also been helping Prevented Ocean Plastic repurpose 297 tonnes of plastic from the coastline into packaging for fish and strawberries.
“We know it’s our responsibility to ensure the food on our shelves is as sustainably sourced as possible, which is why we’re so pleased to become the first UK retailer to offer 100% ASC certified fresh Scottish salmon,” said Gavin Hodgeson, head of agriculture, aquaculture & horticulture at Sainsbury’s.
