Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare represents an area of interest for MARR, also in line with the growing awareness among Clients and consumers on this theme. The focus in this regard is aimed at the goal of making available, within the product range, animal-origin products obtained through supply chains respectful of animal welfare conditions.
MARR established an Animal Welfare Policy, with the objective of promoting responsible practices throughout production chains and increasing stakeholder awareness on the topic.
MARR does not directly manage any animal-origin supply chain; however, it requires its suppliers to comply with current animal welfare regulations through the signing of supply agreements as well as adherence to the Supplier Code of Conduct, while in some cases encouraging the progressive implementation of specific criteria in addition to the minimum standards required by law.

In order to improve animal welfare conditions within production chains, MARR has implemented control systems at laying hen and broiler chicken farms that supply raw materials to its vendors. Specific disciplinaries have been defined for application to these supply chains, resulting in the obtaining of certification for the control system for the national supply chain of laying hens and broiler chickens.

·         In October 2024, the transition to cage-free systems for eggs and egg products used as ingredients in MARR’s private label products was completed.
·         By 2026, a MARR-branded line of shell eggs and egg products from barn-raised hens will be launched.
·         MARR promotes awareness campaigns targeting Clients to encourage the use of eggs and egg products from barn-raised and organic farms.

MARR requires its suppliers to adopt responsible farming practices that comply with specific animal welfare criteria defined for fish species. As part of the “Sustainable Fish Supply Chain” control program, verification activities for aquaculture suppliers have been expanded to monitor compliance with key animal welfare criteria, such as stocking density, water quality, and slaughter practices.
(For further details, see MARR - Sustainable fishing and fish farming).

For several years, MARR has identified proper handling methods for live crustaceans throughout all stages of commercialization to maintain animals in good health and minimize stress conditions. Crustaceans are kept in dedicated tanks that meet the physiological needs of the species in terms of size, capacity, temperature range, and salinity. The number of animals per tank is managed to prevent overcrowding. Holding time in tanks is minimized to avoid unnecessary stress.
Additionally, an information and awareness campaign has been launched for Clients to discourage displaying live animals on ice and to promote the use of appropriate slaughter techniques, avoiding direct immersion in boiling water.