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The number of pet food products containing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified sustainable seafood has grown by 57% in the UK during the last five years, according to new figures released to The Guardian.
It said the increased focus on sustainability has spread to pet’s diets, who consume about 20% of the world’s meat and fish globally, and is estimated to be responsible for a quarter of the environmental impact of meat production.
The figures revealed the increase has seen over 7 million pet food products containing MSC in the past year.
The news comes as the industry has seen an influx of new vegan and environmentally friendly options for pets, including low-impact options such as insect-based products.
George Clark, the MSC’s programme director for the UK and Ireland, told the paper: “UK pet owners increasingly understand that caring for their furry friends also means looking after the wider environment.
‘Fish species and marine wildlife around the globe are being put at risk as overfishing threatens our oceans. We also know that seafood often has a significantly lower carbon footprint than meat, so buying sustainable seafood products is one of the most positive choices that pet owners can make to help reverse this worrying trend.’
He added: “The Marine Stewardship Council recently introduced a Pet Food Brand of the Year award for the very first time at its annual awards this year, a response to the growing importance of sustainability for consumers of sustainable pet food products.”
