Our approach and key principles
As a responsible food producer, our approach to sustainability is based on three fundamental principles. That we are honest, that we are transparent and that we do the right thing. And as one of the major food manufacturers in South East Asia, we are applying these three key principles to driving the sustainability agenda in this region.
Overfishing issues in Thai territorial waters
The seas around Thailand are presently some of the most over-fished in the world and although CP are farmers and not fishermen, some of its supply chain currently extends to feed ingredients that are caught at sea.
Overfishing is mainly due to Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity (IUU) and experts widely agree that this activity is closely linked with the human rights and conservation issues described in the media.
Whilst our initial sustainability efforts to tackle these issues were spurred on by celebrity chef – Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, CP reached a point in July 2014 where a multi-stakeholder approach was required to step change its activity.
CP and the Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force
To this end, CP is a founding and active member of the Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force – a leading international industry alliance including major US and EU retailers, Thai manufacturers, government and NGOs.
The aim of this Task Force is to drive fundamental change in the seafood industry by ensuring Thailand’s seafood supply chain is free from illegal and forced labour through accountability, verification and transparency.
Its unique combination of stakeholders and growing membership means it already commands annual seafood purchases from Thailand exceeding $10 Billion US and $6 Billion EU. And with a membership that now includes over 80% of Thai feed manufacturers, it’s a powerful force for driving change.
Leading Thailand’s seafood supply chain towards a more sustainable pathway
The Task Force takes a strategic approach and recognizing that human rights issues and marine conservation problems are closely linked with IUU fishing, its core objectives are set based on this fundamental belief.
Accepting that there’s a lot to do – short and longer term, it’s a group focussed on action, strongly believing in a step-by-step approach. Its ambition is that its work is fully scalable and that, over time, its outputs will serve as replicable models for similar impact across the globe.
To find out more please click here to see the latest Task Force progress update.