These latest initiatives form part of the food manufacturer’s wider “NextGen” strategy, which aims to achieve net zero by 2035.
These new pledges will see 2 Sisters extend premium payments to South American soyameal farmers to cover all land conversion, not just deforestation, in a bid to protect local ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Birmingham-based poultry specialist also explains that sourcing from farms where deforestation and land conversion has not occurred for over 18 years – meaning very low greenhouse gas emissions associated with land use change – will help reduce the carbon footprint of soyameal used in its chicken feed by up to 70% from July.
2 Sisters is, however, working to reduce its reliance on South American imports and has now redeveloped its chicken feed to replace nearly one quarter (23%) of imported soyameal with British-grown oilseed rape and beans.
The move will see 2 Sisters purchase 150,000 tonnes annually from British farmers, with the firm claiming this will inject £50 million into the British agricultural economy and strengthen food security.
This latest switch is expected to further reduce carbon emissions by almost 670,000t, representing a reduction of more than 20% in Scope 3 emissions for the business.
“This is a transformation moment for British poultry. By going beyond deforestation-free standards and backing British farmers, we’re making a meaningful commitment to both the environment and animal welfare, building a sustainable, resilient food system for the future as part of our NextGen strategy,” said Kate Stein, group director of quality, sustainability and agriculture at 2 Sisters Food Group.
2 Sisters has additionally pledged to completely remove soyameal from the diet of chickens at its Coupar Angus facility in Scotland, replacing it with British-grown peas, seeds and beans by the end of 2027.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of Marks & Spencer Food, added: “M&S fresh chicken is 100% RSPCA Assured, and our Oakham Gold chicken is exclusively supplied by 2SFG. This latest move to more sustainable feed is a strong example of the innovative initiatives our supplier partners are rolling out to adapt farming practices to support the environment, whilst backing British farmers.
“The M&S Plan A for Farming supports long-term resilience for farmers, and switching to British-grown feed for chickens will support a wider network of growers in the UK as well as the journey to net zero.”
