Irish organic salmon producer tops sustainability table

Ireland’s leading organic salmon producer MOWI has topped the FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return) Protein Producer Index for the second consecutive year.

FAIRR is a collaborative network that raises awareness of how some the world’s biggest farmers of fish and meat are managing their sustainability risks.

The assessment examined environmental awareness, climate change, food safety and worker safety, and found that while more than half of the companies surveyed were failing to properly document their impact, ‘salmon farming companies rank as among the most sustainable and compliant’.

According to MOWI, the company is ranked as ‘overall best performer’; three salmon producers are among the top five.

Catrina Martins, chief sustainability officer, says the ranking recognises their commitment to sustainability and animal welfare:

“I am extremely proud of the work my colleagues do every day to reduce our footprint and continue improving the way we operate.”

Investor support

The primary purpose of the Index is to inform investor decision-making about the protein sector. It is the world’s only benchmark dedicated to profiling animal protein producers, and showcases critical gaps and areas of best practice in the sector.

The report encourages investors to integrate the data and analysis about performance into their stewardship and investment decisions.

The Index is also a benchmark to help animal protein companies self assess against their peers and to improve their management and risk reporting.

According to Catrina Martins, aquaculture and salmon farming makes a responsible investment case and is “highly necessary” to reduce climate gas emissions:

“We simply must produce and eat more seafood,” she contends.

Background

In Ireland for more than 40 years, MOWI contributes over €20m annually to the domestic economy and employs 300 people at farms and hatcheries in Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Cork and Kerry. Around 800 Irish suppliers are associated with the company.

MOWI also holds the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) salmon standard at four of its Irish sites. This standard is one of the highest international environmental and social sustainability recognitions  in the fish farming sector.

MOWI is a subsidiary of the MOWI Group headquartered in Norway which employs 14,537 across 25 countries  and services 70 markets around the globe.