Cargill Canada, Mowi feed sites achieve ASC Certification  

GLOBAL – The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) concluded 2024 with a landmark achievement as Cargill Canada and Mowi Feed in Scotland and Norway obtained the prestigious ASC Feed Certification. 

This milestone not only underscores the commitment of these companies to sustainable aquaculture but also marks significant progress in the industry-wide adoption of environmentally responsible practices.  

Cargill Canada has made history by becoming the first ASC-certified feed company in the country. Operating from its facility in Surrey, British Columbia, Cargill’s mill produces high-quality feed tailored for a variety of aquatic species, including trout, salmon, seabass, seabream, meagre, seriola (kingfish), cobia, and tilapia.  

This certification is a critical step forward for Cargill’s supply chain, enabling the distribution of responsibly produced feed across North America and the Pacific Rim. 

The certification reflects Cargill’s strategic commitment to align its operations with rigorous environmental, social, and ethical standards, which are cornerstones of the ASC Feed Standard.  

Meanwhile, Mowi Feed has achieved ASC certification for its facilities in Kyleakin, Scotland, and Valsneset, Norway. 

The Kyleakin plant, located on the Isle of Skye, and the Valsneset site in central-western Norway are state-of-the-art facilities that produce feed for salmon farming.  

These certifications are significant for Mowi’s operations across Europe, ensuring compliance with ASC standards at their certified farms in Scotland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. 

This step is crucial as ASC-certified farms must source feed from ASC-certified mills by October 31, 2025, to retain their certifications.  

The ASC Feed Standard is a robust framework that promotes transparency and responsibility throughout the aquaculture supply chain.

Certified mills are required to:  

• Assess the environmental and social risks associated with every ingredient.  
• Monitor and report energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption, setting measurable improvement targets.  
• Ensure labour rights, community relations, and working conditions are upheld, including stringent due diligence on ingredient suppliers to prevent forced or child labour.  

By enforcing these criteria, the ASC Feed Standard is fostering a global transition toward more sustainable aquaculture practices.  

Since its launch, the ASC Feed Programme has seen significant growth. There are now 16 certified Units of Certification, encompassing 22 feed mills across nine countries, including Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Norway, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK. 

This international uptake highlights the accessibility and feasibility of ASC certification for both multinational corporations and regional producers.  

As of early 2025, many feed companies are undergoing the initial audit phase for ASC certification, signalling another strong year for the programme. 

This surge reflects the aquaculture industry’s increasing recognition of responsible feed production’s economic and ecological benefits.  

For Mowi, the certifications align with its sustainability goals of ensuring 100% of its annual harvest volumes are certified under globally recognised standards, including ASC, Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), and GlobalGAP. 

The company attributes its success to advanced systems like M3 for enterprise resource planning, Kodiak for supplier management, and TQM for quality assurance, which has been instrumental in meeting ASC’s rigorous requirements.  

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ASC-certified mills are committed to transitioning toward deforestation-free supply chains for key ingredients like soy and palm oil. 

This commitment extends to ensuring suppliers comply with environmental regulations and are actively working to mitigate their operational impacts.  

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