Recent developments are integral to the food manufacturer’s comprehensive “NextGen” strategy, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2035.
Under these new commitments, 2 Sisters will enhance premium payments for soyameal farmers in South America, ensuring that support covers all instances of land conversion rather than just deforestation, thereby helping to safeguard local ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Birmingham-based poultry company also highlights its plan to source from farms that have not undergone deforestation or land conversion for over 18 years. This approach will correspond to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from land use changes, potentially lowering the carbon footprint of the soyameal used in chicken feed by up to 70% starting in July.
While 2 Sisters is focused on decreasing its dependence on imports from South America, it has successfully adapted its chicken feed, substituting nearly one-quarter (23%) of imported soyameal with domestically sourced oilseed rape and beans.
As a result, 2 Sisters aims to procure 150,000 tonnes from British farmers each year. The company asserts that this initiative will infuse £50 million into the UK agricultural sector and enhance food security.
This transition is projected to decrease carbon emissions by approximately 670,000 tonnes, resulting in over a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions for the organization.
“This is a transformative moment for British poultry. By transcending deforestation-free benchmarks and supporting local farmers, we are affirming our commitment to the environment and animal welfare, working towards a sustainable and resilient food system as part of our NextGen strategy,” stated Kate Stein, group director of quality, sustainability, and agriculture at 2 Sisters Food Group.
Moreover, 2 Sisters has committed to entirely eliminating soyameal from the chicken diet at its Coupar Angus facility in Scotland, with plans to replace it with British-grown peas, seeds, and beans by the close of 2027.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of Marks & Spencer Food, remarked, “M&S fresh chicken is 100% RSPCA Assured, and our Oakham Gold chicken is exclusively supplied by 2SFG. This initiative toward sustainable feed exemplifies the innovative efforts our supplier partners are implementing to modify farming practices in favor of the environment while supporting British agriculture.”
“The M&S Plan A for Farming promotes long-term sustainability for farmers, and the shift to British-grown feed will bolster a broader network of UK growers, contributing to the journey toward net zero.”