Pork producers now must be committed to sow group housing to sell pork to SeaWorld parks. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment adopted a new responsible food sourcing policy that requires humanely raised and sustainably harvested food at all 12 parks, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place.
SeaWorld’s responsible food sourcing policy stipulations
- SeaWorld commits to source produce from local farms when and where possible.
- By the end of 2016, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will purchase all pork cuts from pork producers that have announced a commitment and published targets for conversion to group sow housing. It is their aim to purchase all pork cuts from group-housed sows.
- For processed products containing pork as an ingredient, the company will create an awareness of the policy of sourcing group-housed pork and will establish it as criteria in evaluating suppliers and products.
- All eggs will be sourced from cage-free chickens by the end of 2017, including shell and liquid eggs.
- The company is expanding park menus to include more plant-based options.
The responsible sourcing policy joins commitments already in place, including:
- A continuing commitment to serving seafood sourced from either sustainably managed fisheries or aquaculture in all park restaurants and catering events, as well as ambassador team dining;
- Sustainable sourcing of fish fed to the fish-eating (piscivorous) animals. This includes purchasing food from responsibly managed fisheries that the company closely reviews for nutritional quality and safety. SeaWorld avoids purchasing fish that have been caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.
SeaWorld and the Humane Society of the United States
“This announcement builds on SeaWorld’s existing sustainable practice,” said SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment President and CEO, Joel Manby, in a press release, “and this new commitment fulfills goals established with the Humane Society of the United States in March of this year.”
“As a company committed to conservation and the welfare of animals, we believe our food procurement can and should reflect a focus on the welfare of animals, a healthier planet and healthier people,” said Norbert Dean, SeaWorld chief procurement officer, in a press release.
In the case of a supply chain disruption by events outside SeaWorld’s control, such as avian flu, swine flu or natural disaster), SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will work with its suppliers to adhere to the responsible food sourcing policy as soon as possible should supply be limited or unavailable.
