Life cycle assessments indicate that feed can account for up to 90 percent of the environmental impacts of aquaculture production, with the vast majority of those impacts typically occurring during the production and harvesting of raw materials for feed – through deforestation, land conversion, fisheries management, agricultural practices, and more.
To address these impacts, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has released a new Feed Standard that will be fully in effect by 31 October 2025.
Denmark-based aquafeed company BioMar Group was involved in the development of ASC’s new feed standard, including one of the first audits under the standard at BioMar’s Grangemouth facility in Scotland.
SeafoodSource spoke with Paddy Campbell, BioMar’s vice president for salmon, about the value of a feed standard for companies and supply chains.
SEAFOODSOURCE: How does the ASC Feed Standard help a company like BioMar, and what is the value of the standard to your supply chain partners and customers?
CAMPBELL: The ASC Feed Standard provides a robust framework that aligns with BioMar’s longstanding commitment to responsible sourcing and transparency in the aquaculture industry. For us, the standard helps validate and strengthen the sustainability credentials of our feeds, ensuring that we are meeting the highest industry benchmarks. For our customers – fish farmers – it provides a clear pathway to responsible sourcing and enhances their ability to meet their consumer and retailer demands for responsibly raised seafood.
At the supply chain level, it empowers raw material producers to improve their conditions. This is particularly valuable as regulatory pressures and consumer expectations around traceability and responsible sourcing continue to rise. By adopting the ASC Feed Standard, we are demonstrating leadership in the industry and helping to future-proof our business for our customers and supply chain partners.
SEAFOODSOURCE: What are some of the elements or issues included in the standard that are important for seafood supply chains to address?
CAMPBELL: One of the critical aspects of the ASC Feed Standard is its focus on responsible raw material sourcing, which is where the vast majority of feed’s environmental footprint comes from. The standard also introduces new levels of traceability and accountability, ensuring that every ingredient in our feed can be traced back to responsible sources.
This is particularly crucial given the complexity of seafood supply chains and the global nature of raw material sourcing. Additionally, the inclusion of social responsibility is a key step forward. The standard sets clear expectations for fair labor conditions and community impacts, making sure that ethical considerations are embedded throughout the feed supply chain.
This goes beyond environmental impact and brings a more holistic approach to what we call sustainability.
SEAFOODSOURCE: What does this look like at your Grangemouth facility?
CAMPBELL: Grangemouth is one of our key aquafeed production facilities, serving farmers at the forefront of responsible farming, so achieving ASC certification here was an important milestone. The site has been a leader in implementing responsible sourcing and production practices, guaranteeing that all feed produced aligns with the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.
At the operational level, this means rigorous ingredient traceability, optimized feed formulations prioritizing responsibly sourced materials, and close collaboration with suppliers to ensure compliance with ASC’s requirements. It also involves regular audits and assessments to maintain high standards of transparency and accountability. For our farmers, sourcing ASC-certified feed from Grangemouth provides assurance they are using a product that meets the strictest criteria, supporting their certification efforts and market positioning.
SEAFOODSOURCE: Companies often think the value of traceability or certification is to report out to external stakeholders. Are there internal values or benefits for BioMar using the ASC Feed Standard?
CAMPBELL: Absolutely.
