In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the impact of procurement on the environment and society.

Sustainability has become a key consideration for GPOs, and animal welfare is one of the important themes within sustainability.

Here are five ways GPOs can achieve sustainability with their animal welfare programs:

1. Understand the importance of animal welfare - The first step to achieving sustainability with animal welfare is to understand its importance. Animal welfare is an essential aspect of sustainability, and it is not just limited to preventing animal cruelty. It also includes ensuring that animals are treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives. As a GPO, it is essential to understand the impact of animal welfare on your business, the environment and society. It is also important to recognize the link between animal welfare and other sustainability issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
2. Set animal welfare standards - GPOs can achieve sustainability by setting animal welfare standards for their suppliers. These standards should include policies that ensure the humane treatment of animals, such as providing adequate food, water and shelter, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and antibiotics. The standards should also ensure that suppliers comply with relevant regulations , certifications and standards related to animal welfare.
3. Conduct audits and assessments - GPOs can ensure that their suppliers meet their animal welfare standards by conducting regular audits and assessments. These assessments should evaluate suppliers' animal welfare practices, including their animal handling, transportation and slaughter practices. They should also assess suppliers' compliance with relevant laws, regulations and standards. The audits and assessments should be conducted by independent third-party auditors who have experience in animal welfare.
4. Encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable practices - GPOs can also achieve sustainability by encouraging their suppliers to adopt sustainable practices that promote animal welfare. For example, they can encourage suppliers to reduce their use of antibiotics and harmful chemicals, and to use renewable energy and water-efficient practices. GPOs can also encourage suppliers to adopt practices that promote biodiversity, such as preserving natural habitats and reducing the use of pesticides.
5. Educate suppliers and customers - GPOs can achieve sustainability by educating their suppliers and customers about the importance of animal welfare. They can provide training and resources that help suppliers improve their animal welfare practices. They can also educate customers about the impact of animal welfare on sustainability and encourage them to choose products from suppliers that meet animal welfare standards.

Other environmental resources

Open Water, an Entegra supplier, is a company that produces sustainable and ethical canned tuna. Traditional tuna fishing methods often involve the use of large nets that can harm other marine life, in addition to overfishing that threatens the population of tuna. Open Water's fishing methods, however, are more sustainable and reduce the environmental impact of the fishing process. Their fishermen use a pole and line to catch one fish at a time, which not only helps to reduce bycatch but also ensures that the fish are handled with care and respect.

In addition to their sustainable fishing practices, Open Water is also committed to animal welfare. They work with suppliers who have a history of treating their workers and animals with respect, and they prioritize sourcing from farms that prioritize animal welfare. With Open Water, you can feel confident that you are supporting a company that is dedicated to both sustainability and animal welfare.

Slade Gorton is another company and Entegra supplier that is committed to sustainability and animal welfare. They offer a wide range of seafood products, including wild-caught and responsibly farmed shrimp, scallops and salmon. They prioritize working with suppliers who have sustainable fishing and farming practices and who prioritize animal welfare. Slade Gorton is also committed to minimizing waste, with a focus on reducing packaging and recycling materials.

By supporting companies like Open Water and Slade Gorton, you can help drive change towards more sustainable and animal-friendly practices.

Conclusion

Achieving sustainability with your GPO is possible by prioritizing animal welfare. By supporting companies like Open Water and Slade Gorton, you can make a difference towards more sustainable and animal-friendly practices. Take the steps above to make a positive impact and help drive change towards a more sustainable future.

If you want to learn more, read our new white paper about how your GPO can help your sustainability goals. You can also find out more about responsible sourcing with Entegra.