Policy for diversity and inclusion
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group ASA (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial to establish priorities and direction, and to clearly define what factors are strategically important for success.
For Lerøy, diversity and inclusion entail ensuring equal treatment of each employee, irrespective of gender, origin, ethnicity, skin colour, language, religion or personal philosophy.
One of Lerøy’s goals is to offer a workplace without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Lerøy aims to facilitate individually customised workplaces and tasks where possible for employees or applicants with disabilities. The Group has always emphasised the importance of individual competencies, performance and responsibility in their recruitment policy and payroll system.
Moreover, the Group shall at all times ensure equal employment opportunities and rights for all employees, both men and women. Lerøy has an international working environment and a number of employees from different nations. Several of our companies have multinational workforces.
In recent years, the Group has seen an increase in the ratio of females in what have traditionally been “male-dominated” professions, such as fish farming and wild catches. The same trend is evident in the different fields of study for the seafood industry. This will improve the gender balance in the industry Lerøy finds that its gender balance is positive for the psychosocial working environment. Lerøy has recently seen an increase in the ratio of female employees in the companies both in Norway and abroad, and aims to further increase this ratio at all levels of the Group.
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees at Lerøy.
Interaction
Lerøy participates in various fora to discuss diversity and inclusion.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for escape prevention
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide a principal description of how the Group works to prevent escape. Preventing escape is an extremely important and high-priority area for Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy). Substantial investments are made to prevent escape.
Escape of farmed fish is an adverse incident for the environment and causes financial losses. The goal is to prevent escapees from having a negative impact on wild salmon. Lerøy therefore has a zero tolerance policy for escape.
Attitudes, procedures, emergency preparedness plans, the technical status of facilities, correct use of approved equipment and the right training shall ensure fulfilment of the zero-escape policy. Escape prevention is conducted by maintaining a focus on good planning, execution and re-examination of all operations in and at each facility. A lot of time and effort are also spent in optimising equipment and routines.
Valid for
This policy applies to all the Group's farming operations.
Framework and principles
Below is a description of the overall principles/legislation underlying this control strategy. Lerøy is committed to complying with prevailing environmental regulations, provisions, guidelines and principles, as follows:
The administration and the aquaculture industry, including Lerøy, have adopted a zero vision for escaped fish.
This strategy comprises knowledge, exchange of experience, a strong safety culture, efficient safety regulations and professional emergency preparedness. The strategy is based on two principles:
OURO, the aquaculture industry's association for catching escaped farmed fish
The association shall carry out assignments laid down in the Regulation dated 5 February 2015, no. 89 concerning joint responsibility for catches etc. of escaped farmed fish. These assignments comprise planning and executing initiatives to reduce the numbers of escaped farmed fish of the species salmon, trout and rainbow trout in rivers where the ratio of escaped fish is unacceptable. The association shall also consider planning initiatives to reduce the number of escaped farmed fish in rivers, where monitoring by means of annual percentages or counts of spawning fish indicate that the ratio of escaped farmed fish is equal to or greater than four percent.
Regulation concerning requirements on the technical standard of installations used for aquaculture (NYTEK) and Regulation concerning requirements on the technical standard of land-based aquaculture facilities for fish.
The purpose of these regulations is to limit escape from aquaculture installations by ensuring a proper technical standard for such installations, and proper operations and maintenance of the installations.
Regulation concerning internal control for compliance with the Aquaculture Act (IC-Aquaculture)
The purpose of this regulation is to ensure systematic control and improvement work so that requirements established in or in accordance with the Aquaculture Act are met. The regulation also states that a business shall chart hazards and problems and, on this basis, assess risk then prepare plans and initiatives to reduce these risk factors.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for use of freshwater
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) shall take measures to minimise our impact on local water sources and the surrounding environment that we directly and indirectly use in our operations. Sustainable management of these water sources is important to ensure continued operations and a sound business model.
The world’s dependency on access to clean, high-quality freshwater has never been greater. Freshwater is a renewable resource. In some areas of the world, however, the use of freshwater may exceed the natural processes that refill the water magazines. Water stress or water depletion in individual areas may have a negative impact on our operations and business and on society in general. Access to freshwater for our operations is essential for the following reasons:
According to The World Resource Institute’s (WRI) Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, 2019, no areas in Norway, where all of our water-intensive operations (smolt production) are located, are categorised as being at risk of water stress or water depletion. Some of our processing plants in Europe are located in areas where there are medium water stress or water depletion risks. None of our operations are located in high risk areas according to the WRI.
Our main actions to ensure sustainable management of and minimal impact on water bodies/sources are as follows:
Valid for
This policy is applicable to all employees at Lerøy.
Definitions
Water stress: Baseline water stress measures the ratio of total water withdrawals to available renewable surface and groundwater supplies.
Source: WRI Aqueduct 2019
Water depletion: Baseline water depletion measures the ratio of total water consumption to available renewable water supplies.
Source: WRI Aqueduct 2019
WRI, Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas; https://www.wri.org/aqueduct
Framework and principles
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Waste management and sorting policy
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group, hereby referred to as Lerøy, shall continuously work to reduce the non-organic -and organic waste produced throughout our value chain. This includes both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.
In addition we aim to continue our work to implement a circular waste economy. This is reflected in our target to each year Increase our share of non-organic waste which is recovered, reused or recycled, and our target to reduce our food waste every year.
Lerøy have in recent years been in the forefront in regard to commitment and actions taken to clean our beaches for waste. We will continue our efforts as we see that the local engagement is significant and that our joint efforts are producing good results.
Our program for fishing for litter will also continue in the foreseeable future. We aim to Increase the uptime where our fleet collect wastes from our Ocean, and make sure that this waste is handled and disposed of in a sustainable way.
It`s becoming increasingly important to have dialog with waste handling contractors and local authorities regarding waste handling. To be able to reach our targets we need to collaborate to make sure that as much of our waste as possible are being handled in a sustainable manner.
Through several different initiatives on waste handling and management we aim to Increase our knowledge and our Influence on decision-making bodies to make sure that our waste is handled and disposed of in a sustainable manner.
Lerøy encourage all employees to sort their waste also at home in a sustainable manner.
Valid for
This policy is applicable for all employees in Lerøy.
Definitions
Hazardous waste: waste that pose a substantial or potential severe threat to public health or environment.
Non-Hazardous waste: Waste that does not pose a direct threat to public health or environment.
Framework and principle
Roles and responsibilities
Ownership and implementation of policy
Whistleblowing policy
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential to ensure that Lerøy's business results never take priority over compliance with prevailing acts and regulations and the Group’s Code of Conduct. Lerøy’s Code of Conduct reflects the Group’s fundamental values and guides the employees as to which principles to follow.
Lerøy’s principal goals represent an organisational culture with a positive and constructive climate for freedom of speech. The whistleblowing regulations shall allow employees to speak out and criticise without the risk of any kind of punishment or negative reaction.
All employees are encouraged to report censurable conditions as this can help rectify such situations. All employees are obliged to report any criminal acts and situations involving a risk to life and health.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is defined as reporting censurable conditions to a person with the authority to do something about it. Employees who are willing to whistleblow represent an important resource for Lerøy.
The term “censurable conditions” is defined as situations that violate rules of law, the Group's Code of Conduct or ethical standards, for example situations that may represent:
Statements relating to issues that only apply to the employee’s own working conditions, such as professional disagreements and terms, are not defined as whistleblowing.
Whistleblowing channels
Employees can whistleblow orally or in writing, with their full name or anonymously. The whistleblowing report should contain relevant information, including persons involved, any witnesses and relevant evidence.
If you prefer to issue such reports orally, you shall as a main rule contact your immediate superior. If you feel this is difficult, you can contact your immediate superior’s manager, the local HR Department or the local employee representative/safety representative. Oral whistleblowing reports are registered in Lerøy's digital whistleblowing channel by the person who receives the report.
Lerøy has established a digital channel for whistleblowing, which allows persons to remain anonymous. Whistleblowers who choose to be anonymous should note that they will not receive feedback regarding follow-up and management of the report.
Employees are encouraged to whistleblow with their full name, as anonymous whistleblowing may complicate management of the case and prevent clarification of and reaction to censurable conditions. Normally, whistleblowing with full name will help improve proceedings and provide a better result for all parties involved.
Follow-up of whistleblowing and protection against retaliation
Initially, whistleblowing reports received via the digital channels will be processed by an independent third party, who will evaluate whether the report represents censurable conditions. The third party then makes a recommendation for further processing by Lerøy’s whistleblowing committee.
The whistleblowing committee covers all Group companies, in order to coordinate processing and implementation of action in the event of nonconformances. The procedure for investigations will depend on the nature and severity of the case, and is flexible to cover the wide diversity of possible whistleblowing cases. If necessary, external resources are contracted.
The whistleblower shall receive feedback within 14 days to confirm that the report has been received and to provide information on proceedings.
All parties involved in a whistleblowing case shall be protected. Retaliation against employees who whistleblow is prohibited. Any person who feels that they have been subject to retaliation after whistleblowing must report this in Lerøy's digital whistleblowing channel.
Confidentiality
The whistleblower’s identity and all information relating to a whistleblowing report are treated as confidential information throughout the process. It is important to note that anonymity cannot be guaranteed for whistleblowers and others if the case results in legal proceedings.
Case management will be carried out in accordance with the prevailing legislation covering personal data and privacy.
Reports
Lerøy’s whistleblowing committee shall issue quarterly reports on the status of whistleblowing cases to the Group management and Board of Directors.
Valid for
Applies to all employees and contract labour at Lerøy.
Framework and principles
Chapter 2A of the Norwegian Working Environment Act
Lerøy's Code of Conduct and whistleblowing poster
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Procurement Policy
Purpose:
Lerøy Seafood Group, Lerøy, and its daughter companies must always act in accordance with good business ethics and ensure high ethical standards regarding procurement. The purpose of this policy Is to outline the overarching procurement principles and standards used to set direction within the Group. Procurement shall, as far as possible, be based on competition and any deviation from this requirement must be justified. This policy shall adhere to the Group's overall Code of Conduct.
This policy shall ensure that procurement processes are managed in a uniform way and this policy applies to all Lerøy`s companies globally.
Scope
The procurement policy applies to all Lerøy Seafood Group personnel and subsidiaries (hereinafter named Companies) Including but not limited to companies or contractors representing the Group which are Involved In procurement activities. Adhering to this policy is mandatory.
Definitions
Best Total Offer: The tender that provides the overall best value for the Group based on predetermined evaluation criteria
Group Procurement Policy: this document as amended from time to time
Head of Procurement: Group's designated Head of Procurement
Procurement: The process of selecting a supplier to provide; service and / or goods based on market competition
Tender: a received offer as part of a tendering process
Tenderers: Meaning the participants in a tendering process
Tender process: Meaning a procurement process
Main Principles and frameworks
Procurement shall as a main principle be based on competition and minimum 3 suppliers shall be Included In procurement processes when possible. Procurement shall be based on the Global Procurement Procedure.
All procurement processes shall be based on fair competition and shall be in accordance with Lerøy Seafood Group's overall vision relating to openness, honesty, responsibility and creativity. Independence and impartiality shall always be practised, meaning that persons with close relations / ties to one of the tenderers cannot take part in the procurement process, final evaluation, or selection for awarding a contract.
Strategic procurement processes shall be based on multidisciplinary tendering teams and the Best Total Offer will be basis for contract award, the evaluation result being a combination of the commercial and technical evaluation results.
Procurement processes shall be based on the Group's Procurement Process that Is available from the Group's quality management system.
The selection of qualified tenderers and evaluation shall be based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. The following evaluation criteria may be used, but not limited to:
The above criteria are not listed in order of priority.
When awarding a contract, a written contract shall always be concluded between the Company and the chosen supplier. As a general principle the contract shall be based on Lerøy Seafood Group's Standard Terms for procurement when possible.
Only personnel Identified in approved authorisation matrixes can sign contracts.
Sustainability
Sustainability Is one of the main pillars of Lerøy Seafood Group and during procurement processes sustainability shall always be Included as part of the evaluation process. Therefore, Lerøy Seafood Group seek suppliers whom can generate the greatest value creation with the least environmental Impact.
Contract administration and Continuous Improvement
Contract administration Is an Integral part of the Global Procurement Process In Lerøy Seafood Group and shall focus on continuous Improvement to add value for both the Companies and the suppliers. To achieve continuous Improvement efficient and open communication must be established with Identified suppliers and Key Performance Indicators may be Implemented to established common goals.
Monitoring of compliance
The Companies’ management team shall monitor and assure that the Company's respective procurement personnel adhere to the Group's Procurement Policy. If deviations are Identified this shall be reported to the Company`s General Manager and Head of Procurement in LSG.
The Group's quality department may, in cooperation with Group procurement, perform ad-hoc auditing of the Companies compliance with the Global Procurement Policy. If non-conformances are Identified, mitigating actions shall be Implemented and the non-conformances shall be handled as soon as possible.
Demand to our suppliers
All Lerøy Seafood Group's suppliers shall accept to participate In the Group's supplier monitoring system and answer the requested questions honestly and within the requested timeframe. This Is part of the Group's overall responsibility to assure Its supervisory responsibility "påseplikten" related to Its value chain. If such requests are not followed, the local procurement team shall take necessary actions to close any outstanding non-conformances.
The extent of monitoring performed Is based on the assessment of risk related to the category the supplier Is part of.
Roles and Responsibilities
Ownership and implementation
Fish feed policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to specify guidelines for the requirements and goals stipulated by Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) for finished feed and feed raw materials, in terms of environmental, social and financial sustainability.
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees who carry out work involving fish feed at Lerøy.
Definitions
Lerøy covers all wholly or partly owned subsidiaries and collaborating companies within fish feed purchases.
Framework and principles
Marine raw materials shall originate from responsibly regulated fisheries, with individual species governed in accordance with the regulations laid down by national and international authorities and quotas specified on the basis of scientific recommendations (HI, ICES, FAO, IMARPE, CERNAPESCA etc.). We do not accept species that are on the UN’s list of endangered species (the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) or classified as critically endangered or endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The supplier shall comply with and follow the prevailing ASC standard for all marine raw material deliveries to Lerøy. Lerøy also aims to increase the share of MSC certified marine raw materials, year by year.
Vegetable raw materials shall originate from land-based production in areas sustainably obtained for such production. The supplier shall not make use of suppliers that are involved in burning/destroying rain forests/mangrove forests. Vegetable raw materials shall be certified in accordance with an internationally approved standard for sustainability, if such exists.
If soy is used in the feed, this must originate from producers who have full traceability throughout the value chain, and suppliers who have specified a cut-off date for deforestation (Brazil). All soy from Brazil must have ProTerra certification.
When evaluating new raw materials that do not naturally belong to the above-mentioned categories, the raw material's level of sustainability shall be thoroughly and comprehensively assessed, and a written in-house report shall be prepared, supported by documentation from the producers. Lerøy has taken an active choice in relation to establishing new sources for raw materials for feed, and shall continue to lead the way in the development of new, circular raw materials. These do not have to have full certification at the time of use.
All raw materials shall be covered by a tracking system, providing a full overview at all times of the raw material used (down to species and catch/production area) and where the feed containing these raw materials has been used.
Lerøy does not make use of GMO raw materials, palm oil, ethoxyquin, raw materials from salmonids, Land Animal Proteins (PAP/LAP's) or fat sources from land animals.
Feed shall at all times comply with the Group's different fish farming certificates, such as organic production, Lerøy Salmon TM and ASC production.
Lerøy aims to minimise greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain. Raw materials for fish feed represent a significant factor in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, and Lerøy therefore aims to focus on raw materials that help us achieve our climate goals.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for human rights
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In their efforts to achieve this goal, Lerøy is mindful of their social responsibility, and aims to combine sound business management with clear responsibility for society and the environment.
Lerøy shall contribute positively and constructively by influencing work on human rights, prevention of child labour and protection of labour rights, both within the Group, and in relation to suppliers, subcontractors and trading partners.
Human rights are an integral part of Lerøy’s Code of Conduct, which is obligatory for all employees. Contracts with suppliers and subcontractors shall include requirements for compliance with the relevant sections of Lerøy's Code of Conduct. As part of its improvement measures to achieve a responsible supplier chain, Lerøy has established a system to ensure systematic audits and follow-up of suppliers.
Regular employment
Obligations in relation to the employees, in line with international conventions and/or national legislation and regulations regarding regular employment shall not be evaded via utilisation of short-term positions (such as use of contract workers, casual workers and day workers), subcontractors or other employment relationships.
All employees are entitled to an employment contract in a language they understand. The apprenticeship programme shall be clearly defined in terms of duration and content.
Child and youth labour
Children under the age of 18 shall not perform work that represents a health or safety hazard, including night shifts.
Children under the age of 15 shall, as a main rule, not be employed. In special circumstances, such as local/traditional factors, exemptions can be made down to the age of 13.
Apprentices complete those assignments and follow the working hours specified for the company at any given time.
Guidelines for work performed by children shall be followed.
Salary
Salaries paid to employees shall as a minimum comply with the national provisions regarding minimum wage or the industry standard, and shall always be sufficient to cover basic needs.
Payroll conditions and payment of salary shall be agreed upon in writing before employment starts. This agreement shall be in a format which the employee can understand. Disciplinary deductions from salary are not permitted.
Working hours
Working hours shall comply with national legislation and shall be in accordance with prevailing international conventions.
Trade unions and collective bargaining
Without exception, employees shall be entitled to join or establish trade unions according to their free will and to bargain collectively. The employer shall not discriminate against trade union representatives or prevent them from performing their duties for the trade union. Should this entitlement be limited by law, the employer shall facilitate for and not at any time prevent parallel mechanisms for free and independent organisation and bargaining.
Forced labour
All forms of forced labour, slave labour or involuntary labour are strictly prohibited.
Employees shall not be obliged to submit a monetary deposit or identity papers to the employer and shall be free to terminate their employment with a reasonable period of notice.
Discrimination
All forms of discrimination at work based on ethnicity, religion, age, language, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, trade union membership or political beliefs are strictly prohibited.
Measures shall be established to safeguard against sexual harassment, threatening, insulting or exploitative behaviour and to prevent discrimination or dismissal on unfair grounds.
Physical cruelty
Physical cruelty or punishment, or threats of physical cruelty, are strictly forbidden. The same applies to sexual or other abuse and different types of humiliation.
Interaction
Lerøy participates in various fora to discuss human rights.
Valid for
All employees and contract labour shall comply with this policy.
We expect our suppliers and business partners to conduct themselves in line with the policy's purpose, and to respect all internationally recognised human rights principles.
Definitions
None
Framework and principles
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Purpose
A total 7% of global emissions are caused by food waste. 38% of total energy consumption within global food production can be attributed to food lost from the value chain or thrown away. Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) is committed to reducing food waste in the Group by 50% by 2030. The purpose of this policy is to describe how Lerøy shall take efforts to reduce food loss and food waste throughout the value chain.
Lerøy shall strive to achieve the ambition, throughout the value chain, for 1 kg fish to equal 1 kg of product for consumption.
Farming
Strive to increase survival for salmon and trout in order to reduce food loss and to ensure that the highest possible volume of the fish is processed for human consumption.
Wild Catch
Strive to preserve as much as possible of residual raw materials and to produce meal, oil and ensilage.
VAP, Sales and Distribution
Strive to utilise the entire fish for products for human consumption and to reduce the number of fish that fall on the floor, non-utilised input factors and unsold products. We shall take efforts to provide the longest possible and appropriate shelf life for our products, and shall make use of new technology to increase shelf life.
Valid for
All Lerøy employees
We also encourage our employees to reduce the amount of food they throw away at home.
Definitions
- Food waste: Edible parts of food produced for human consumption, but which are either thrown away or removed from the food supply chain for other purposes than human consumption after harvesting
- Food loss: Edible parts of food produced for humans, but which are either thrown away or removed from the food supply chain before or during harvesting
Framework and principles
The EU’s Farm to Fork strategy
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for the climate and energy consumption
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial to establish priorities and direction, and to clearly define what factors are strategically important for success.
This policy provides a brief and principal description of how Lerøy shall carry out responsible environmental and climate management for the company’s activities and our supplier's activities.
Lerøy is committed to the further development of targeted environmental work, thus helping solve global challenges involving the climate and environment. Lerøy shall send clear signals to the market that a climate-neutral low carbon economy by 2050 is an achievable and beneficial target.
Lerøy shall take active measures to identify new and innovative solutions to help cut the company’s greenhouse gas emission, to boost existing collaborations and find new partners to help us achieve our climate goals and develop a low-emissions society.
The company shall take action to prevent operations from inhibiting an optimally stable climate, by measuring, monitoring, reporting and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Lerøy shall take comprehensive measures and shall commit to establishing climate goals for all operations throughout the value chain.
Lerøy's has established science-based targets with a view to achieving the climate goals in the Paris Agreement, and willingly accepts their responsibility for limiting global warming:
Lerøy shall regularly map climate-related risk, carry out assessments and analyses to allow for decision-making and necessary adjustments.
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees. This policy also forms the basis for Lerøy’s expectations with regard to suppliers and partners.
Definitions
Scope 1 – All direct greenhouse gas emissions from use of fossil fuels for own operations.
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased electricity and district heating/cooling.
Scope 3 – Indirect emissions from input factors (purchased goods or services).
Paris Agreement 2015 – An international agreement to ensure that countries worldwide are able to limit climate change.
Science-Based Targets – Targets based on what research has shown to be necessary to reach the targets in the Paris Agreement. The targets must therefore help limit global warming to well below 2°C, and strive to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Framework and principles
Lerøy is committed to complying with prevailing environmental regulations, guidelines and principles, defined in the following documents:
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol – The most commonly used and recognised international standard for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use (ISO 14001:2015).
ISO 14064:2018 Greenhouse gases – Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Fish health and fish welfare policy
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) works continuously on the adaptation of all parts of production in order to ensure optimal fish welfare. Keeping fish in cages entails great responsibility for ensuring that the fish have the best possible conditions. As part of our ongoing improvement measures, we make use of several international standards relating to fish welfare and biosafety.
Valid for
This policy applies to all the employees in the Group's farming operations.
Definitions
Animal welfare: Quality of life perceived by the animal itself.
Welfare indicator: An indirect measurement of animal welfare.
Framework and principles
We make use of procedures as governance tools for production. These procedures help us standardise the processes to which the fish are subjected, and they are updated as soon as we obtain new knowledge that has to be taken into account. As such, the entire organisation has rapid and efficient access to new knowledge. The following elements are key to our work on fish welfare:
Welfare indicators:
Systematisation and grading of different welfare criteria are carried out in accordance with the guidelines in the following manual: “Velferdsindikatorer for oppdrettslaks: Hvordan vurdere og dokumentere fiskevelferd” (Welfare indicators for farmed salmon: How to assess and document fish welfare). This publication is the end product of the “FISHWELL” project financed by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) and conducted by Nofima.
The welfare indicators registered daily are temperature, oxygen, growth, density and category for cause of death. The welfare indicators we measure at regular intervals are lice, gases, salinity, visibility, current, vaccine side-effects, outer blemishes, cataracts, gill status, algae, jellyfish, agents and sedimentation under the facility.
The different welfare indicators have provided us with the opportunity to objectively measure and compare the mutual implications of the different parameters and what they indicate about overall fish welfare. This allows us to make interventions in production in order to prevent factors that impair fish welfare.
Systematisation of welfare parameters for all organisations will provide a stronger basis on which to compare different production methods. Machine learning and increased opportunities for analysis of large volumes of data in a short time could possibly represent a positive move towards identifying better solutions for improved fish health and fish welfare.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Algae monitoring policy
Purpose
Algae naturally occur in Norwegian waters and are an important part of the ecosystem. Certain environmental conditions may result in individual incidences of large algal blooms. The algae may either produce toxins that are harmful to the fish or may be so prevalent that they clog the fish gills. Some algae also have a surface structure that harms the gills. If there is a high density of such algae, the fish will not be able to sustain normal gill function. Proper monitoring of algae incidence is important if we are to implement measures at the right time.
Valid for
This policy applies to all the employees in the Group's farming operations.
Definitions
Algae: Collective term for very different single-cell and multi-cell organisms that have photosynthesis and live in humid environments as common factors.
Framework and principles
The Institute of Marine Research carries out national monitoring of algae, and their information is available to the public on their website, algestatus.hi.no. The industry and authorities continue to take efforts to identify the optimal solution for comparison of data collected by the industry with the results of monitoring by the authorities. The aim is to obtain a better and more comprehensive algae monitoring system.
Lerøy's algae monitoring is based on risk periods and observations that indicate suspected algal bloom. If any findings seem suspicious, all involved parties in the area are notified.
If an algal bloom affects one of our localities, a number of measures are implemented to reduce the impact on fish. In some cases, it may be necessary to clarify with the authorities and other parties whether the fish can be moved from the area affected.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Purpose
Every year, more than eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea. Plastic in itself becomes a problem when it is carelessly disposed of and ends up as microplastic in the sea. Plastic should never, under any circumstances, end up in the natural environment. Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) is dependent upon clean seas to produce safe and sustainable products.
We are very much aware of our responsibilities, and this policy has been prepared to ensure that Lerøy reduces its plastic consumption in areas where there is the greatest risk of plastic pollution. Moreover, Lerøy shall preferably make use of recyclable plastic.
If there are alternative materials to plastic that meet technical requirements and are more sustainable, these shall have preferential use. Plastic waste shall be sorted at source to minimise environmental impact.
For every 1 kg reduction in plastic, we save 5 kg CO2e.
We shall:
General:
On products:
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees
Definitions
Framework and principles
Directive 2019/904 of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment
2002/72/EF (Plastic Directive).
Directive 2002/72/EF relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Food safety policy
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) shall deliver safe and sustainable high-quality seafood in every part of the value chain. We are committed to never compromising on food safety for any of our products or services. This requires all our employees to be dedicated and to comply with a strong food safety culture, so that we are able to deliver safe and sustainable high-quality seafood every day, all year round. As an integrated part of Lerøy's value chain, each company has its own Quality Department made up of personnel with expertise in food safety, who are assigned the task of continuously ensuring and securing that our products and services are safe.
We shall have:
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees at Lerøy.
Definitions
Food safety – Ensuring that food produced does not represent a risk for the consumer
Food safety culture – Attitudes, values and beliefs relating to food safety shared by a group of people
Framework and principles
Certifications: ASC, GlobalGAP, BRC, IFS, FSSC22000
Legislation: The Norwegian Food Act – General Food law regulation
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) management
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group ASA (Lerøy) has a goal to be the leading and most profitable global supplier of sustainable high-quality seafood. In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial to establish priorities and direction, and to clearly define what factors are strategically important for success.
This policy provides a brief and principal description of how Lerøy shall establish and further develop sustainable and proactive HSE management in relation to own activities and suppliers’ activities.
Lerøy shall take active measures to create a positive and safe physical and psychological working environment. The target to prevent injuries and accidents shall always have top priority at Lerøy. The company and work are organised so that the employees are protected from harm to life and health. Systematic HSE measures shall feature as an integral part of all our activities.
The company shall ensure that employees receive necessary and regular HSE training, and shall make active contributions to reinforcing HSE awareness in the company.
Lerøy is committed to:
Valid for
This policy applies to all employees in the Group. This policy also forms the basis for Lerøy’s expectations with regard to suppliers and partners.
Definitions
HSE – Health, Safety and the Environment
Continuous improvement – Constant improvements, method to improve the quality of processes, development and management
Framework and principles
Lerøy is committed to complying with prevailing HSE regulations, guidelines and principles, defined in the following documents:
ISO 45001: 2017 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Salmon sea lice control policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide a principal description of how the Group works to control salmon sea lice.
Valid for
This policy applies to all the Group's farming operations.
Definitions
Salmon lice: Lepeophteirus salmonis. A copepod and parasite living on salmon.
Integrated pest management (IPM): A control strategy with different complementary measures that supplement each other, aiming to control salmon lice and keep them at a low level. The core elements of an IPM strategy are prevention, monitoring and control.
Framework and principles
Lerøy Seafood Group’s (Lerøy) efforts to control salmon sea lice follow the principles of an IPM strategy to control salmon Sea lice and keep the numbers at a low level in the long term. The goal is to reduce the negative impact on the environment and the need for active interventions. Below is a description of the overall principles underlying this control strategy.
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation
Policy for use of antimicrobial agents
Purpose
Lerøy Seafood Group (Lerøy) emphasises the importance of preventive operating practice, aiming to reduce the number of incidences involving disease in fish. In certain situations, however, the disease and needs may require use of antimicrobial agents to treat disease in fish.
The purpose of this policy is to provide a principal description of how the Group approaches use of antimicrobial agents.
Valid for
This policy applies to all persons who handle or are in contact with antibacterial agents and all production of fish made for consumption.
Definitions
Antimicrobial agents: Active substances used to treat bacterial infections and classified as medicines by Norwegian medicines legislation. Antimicrobial agents are only used when medical indications imply that they are needed.
Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effect of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is caused by use of antibiotics, and the most important measure in preventing the development of antibiotic resistance is to reduce the use of antibiotics.
Framework and principles
Use of antibacterial agents
Lerøy aims to avoid unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents. To achieve this, a number of different preventive measures are implemented and are part of a preventive operating practice including vaccination, risk management, disease control, structural measures, early diagnoses etc.
The use of antimicrobial agents is seen as a last line of defence and only applied in situations where deemed necessary to protect fish welfare, and when factors relating to food safety, the environment, resistance and effect have been clarified.
Moreover, antimicrobial agents are only used when prescribed by authorised fish health personnel, and the only agents used are those approved by Norwegian medicines authorities.
Prevention of antibiotic resistance
In situations that require the use of antibiotics, the risk of resistance development is managed by means of the following principles:
Roles and responsibilities
Policy ownership and implementation