Tesco, the UK’s largest grocery and general merchandise retailer, has announced a pioneering policy aimed at improving the welfare of farmed shrimp, potentially impacting the lives of over 5 billion shrimp annually.
The new welfare commitments, unveiled on 17th August 2024, mark a significant advancement in animal welfare within the seafood industry. The policy, developed in response to a campaign led by Mercy For Animals (MFA), addresses several inhumane practices associated with shrimp farming, including the controversial procedures of eyestalk ablation and ice slurry immersion. MFA had previously organised the world’s first shrimp welfare protest in London on 30th May, calling for a transition to more humane methods, such as electric stunning.
Paul Cichy, Global Campaigns Specialist at Mercy For Animals, praised Tesco’s initiative as a crucial step towards mitigating the severe suffering experienced by billions of shrimp. He stated, “Tesco’s policy is a crucial step in alleviating some of the worst cruelty that billions of shrimp endure annually. We hope this commitment from Tesco will spur other retailers to recognise the importance of adopting more sustainable practices for all animals. Mercy for Animals will continue its engagement efforts to bring more attention to the critical issue of shrimp welfare, which is often overlooked in animal welfare discussions.”
Under Tesco’s new Farmed Decapod Crustacean Welfare Policy, the company has committed to integrating more compassionate practices across the shrimp supply chain, encompassing capture, onboarding, landing, storage, and transport. The policy specifically targets two species: Penaeus vannamei (white-leg prawns) and Penaeus monodon (tiger prawns), both of which are recognised as sentient beings under the UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022.
Key elements of the policy include the implementation of 100% electric stunning for Penaeus vannamei and a complete ban on eyestalk ablation for both shrimp species by 2027. Additionally, Tesco will no longer sell live shrimp in its stores or online, further supporting its commitment to humane practices.
Tesco’s approach includes a commitment to transparency and accountability, with regular audits planned throughout their supply chain to ensure adherence to the new welfare standards. This move is seen as a significant step towards improving industry practices and sets a precedent for other major retailers.
Mercy For Animals has commended Tesco for its groundbreaking policy and is now calling on other leading retailers, such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Aldi, and Lidl, to adopt similar measures. The organisation believes that coordinated efforts among retailers can drive substantial changes in the seafood industry, ultimately reducing animal suffering on a global scale.
For more information about Mercy For Animals and their ongoing efforts, visit their website at MercyForAnimals.org.