Appendix 14 – Upstream Supply Chain Requirements

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Appendix 14 – Upstream Supply Chain Requirements

by Contact on 30 October 2026

Introduction

The impacts of aquaculture extend beyond the UoC, as many species rely on upstream supply chain stages (such as hatchery and nursery production) occurring across different sites. This Appendix sets out the requirements for fish supplier sites in the UoC’s upstream supply chain, in accordance with the species defined in the scope of Indicator 1.5.2. These requirements are based on the Principles of the ASC Farm Standard and focus on the impacts most relevant to these sites.

The UoC shall maintain documentation from the supplier sites within the upstream supply chain as evidence that these sites conform with the requirements of this Appendix.

Indicators:

14.1

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites hold all applicable legal licences and permits.

14.2

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites are not located in Protected Areas (PA). An exception applies where conditional siting is allowed according to Appendix 4.

14.3

Indicator applicability: land-based systems

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites do not convert natural wetland after May 1999. An exception applies where conversion is needed for establishing and maintaining pumping stations, water pipes or canals, in which case the sites shall successfully restore 100% of the converted area.

14.4

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have a Human-Wildlife Interaction Plan, which includes at least the following:

  1. identification of Threatened Species present in the region; and

  2. mitigation measures to avoid injuries or cause mortalities of any Threatened Species.

14.5

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have an Escape Prevention Plan, which includes at least the following:

  1. consideration of the installation, inspection and maintenance of containment structures appropriate for the species, size, life stages and the conditions in which the site operates; and

  2. procedures for the handling of fish; and

  3. procedures in case of severe weather events; and

  4. escape response procedures.

14.6

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have a procedure for the responsible disposal of waste, which includes at least the following types of waste:

  1. organic waste, including mortalities and human waste

  2. biosolids

  3. chemicals

  4. therapeutants

14.7

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites using hormones have a procedure to hold water containing hormones for at least 48 hours or as per product specifications, whichever is greater, prior to discharge.

14.8

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have a site-specific Health and Welfare Plan (HWP), approved by a registered veterinarian, with the intention of preventing disease outbreaks, and ensuring the good health and welfare of farmed fish.

  1. The HWMP shall include at least the following:

    1. disease monitoring; and

    2. response, including quarantine, treatment, and humane culling; and

    3. reporting mechanisms, including reporting WOAH-notifiable disease to authorities; and

    4. biosecurity risks; and

    5. predation risks.

  2. The HWP shall be reviewed and revised as necessary:

    1. at least annually for sites with cycles under one year or using continuous production methods; or

    2. after each cycle for sites with longer cycles or all-in-all-out production methods.

14.9

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites only use therapeutants as prescribed by a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

14.10

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites disclose the antibiotic treatments on fish supplied to the UoC, including the number of treatments, the reason for their use and the quantity used.

14.11

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites do not use antimicrobials listed as Authorised for use in Humans Only, Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials (HPCIA) or Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIA) by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

14.12

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have policies for at least the following:

  1. not engaging in or supporting forced labour; and

  2. not engaging in child labour; and

  3. not engaging in or tolerating any form of discrimination; and

  4. allowing all employees to join or form a trade union or worker organisation. An exception applies where this is restricted by law, in which case an alternative lawful mechanism for employee engagement is allowed; and

  5. allowing all employees to engage in collective bargaining. An exception applies where this is restricted by law, in which case an alternative lawful mechanism for employee engagement is allowed.

14.13

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites:

  1. carry out a site-specific health and safety risk assessment; and

  2. provide health and safety training for any person working on the site as required to carry out their job.

14.14

The UoC shall demonstrate that supplier sites have a community grievance mechanism that is proactively communicated, accessible, fair and applicable to Indigenous and tribal peoples, and local communities.