Our commitment
Woolworths NZ is committed to protecting the welfare of animals in our supply chain. We recognise that animal welfare is fundamental to our business because good animal welfare results in quality products and our customers trust us to do the right thing.
Our approach
Our approach
Our Woolworths Group Animal Welfare Policy and Seafood Sourcing Policy sets out minimum requirements and expectations for our products containing meat and seafood, and for our suppliers of these products.
To find out more about Woolworth Groups’ approach to animal welfare and responsible seafood, visit our Woolworths Group Sustainability web page. You can also visit our Sustainability Reporting Suite, where we report annually on progress relating to our Sustainability targets.
New Zealand animal welfare requirements
Aotearoa New Zealand has strict animal welfare standards and we, along with our suppliers, adhere to the Animal Welfare Act and associated regulations. We also partner with processing facilities which are overseen by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and have audited risk management plans.
All Woolworths NZ fresh beef, lamb, pork, poultry (chicken, turkey, duck and eggs) and milk are sourced from approved New Zealand suppliers. Due to global demand for New Zealand beef and lamb, there may be times when there is a need to source these products from other international suppliers. We source some frozen and processed meat from overseas, but only from approved sources that meet our animal welfare standards.
We are committed to collaborating with our suppliers to achieve the best possible animal welfare outcomes. Our livestock procurement team is highly experienced in livestock production and works closely with our suppliers. We also consult with animal welfare experts, such as the SPCA and FAI Farms to help us on the journey of improving our animal welfare metrics.
New Zealand seafood sourcing requirements
New Zealand seafood sourcing requirements
Woolworths NZ will source seafood which meets all of the below requirements for Own Brand products.
Preferential sourcing of New Zealand seafood that meets the following:
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Supports New Zealand suppliers; and
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Meets New Zealand legislation regulating the sustainable management of fisheries to:
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recognise the Treaty of Waitangi
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utilise science-based information
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avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects of fishing on the environment,
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utilise fisheries plans which take an ecosystem-based approach to guide the long-term management of the fisheries.
New Zealand wild-caught seafood and farmed seafood requirements
New Zealand wild-caught seafood must be caught under the Quota Management System and within annual catch entitlements.
We do not source New Zealand whitebait, which is managed outside of the Fisheries Act and Quota Management System by the Department of Conservation and as a recreational fishery.
New Zealand farmed seafood must be harvested under resource consent and from suppliers who are certified to an accepted aquaculture certification scheme or who are participants in the New Zealand Sustainable Aquaculture A+ programme.
Accepted certifications for farmed seafood (aquaculture) are:
- Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified; or
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Farm, Feed and Hatchery Standard certified; or
- GLOBALG.A.P. (GGN) Integrated Farm Assurance certified.
All international seafood sources (except tuna - refer to Woolworths Group Seafood Policy to find ‘Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna’ requirements) must meet one of our recognised third-party certifications (MSC, ASC, BAP, GGN).