U.K.-based supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners has announced plans to transition to more humane prawn harvesting methods across its supply chain by the end of 2026.
The company will phase out the ice-slurry method, which has raised concerns due to the extended time it takes for prawns to lose consciousness. Instead, Waitrose will implement electrical stunning, a process that quickly renders prawns unconscious before further processing.
The decision follows successful trials of the new method on its supplying farms. Waitrose stated on its website that it aims to “improve the process and roll [it] out to our entire warm water prawn supply chain by the end of 2026.”
Industry representatives have welcomed the move. Justine Audemard of the International Council for Animal Welfare (ICAW) emphasized the role of retailers in ensuring ethical sourcing practices, encouraging other companies to take similar action.
Several U.K. retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, and Ocado, have also committed to eliminating certain farming practices, such as eyestalk ablation, while advancing humane harvesting methods. Research has indicated that alternative practices may be both ethically and economically beneficial for shrimp farms.
Waitrose’s commitment aligns with the U.K. government’s 2021 recognition of decapod crustaceans as sentient beings, reinforcing the importance of ethical considerations in seafood sourcing.
Explore comprehensive supply chain news at The Supply Chain Report. Those interested in international trade can visit ADAMftd.com for free tools.
#SustainableSeafood #EthicalSourcing #RetailNews #FoodSupplyChain #Aquaculture
