Bell Food Group AG

The company discloses that it has a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 21% by 2026. However, the target set is not approved by SBTi. It pledges to calculate the CO2 footprint of its entire value chain by the end of 2023 as the basis of its target definition. It recognises the amount of methane emissions released by cattle. However, it does not report any target to reduce methane emissions.

The company reports its target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the 2021 baseline by 21% by 2026. It is developing the data basis and target setting to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Further, it mentions that the majority of the GHG emissions are created in the upstream value chain, which implies that it is in the process of determining a Scope 3 emissions reduction target that includes emissions from agriculture.

The company states it is involved in innovative projects to mitigate the production of emissions in its value chain. Still, it does not disclose engaging its suppliers in general emission-reducing activities.

The company does not engage in innovative projects to reduce or mitigate emissions from feed farming

The company is promoting innovative projects to test methane-reducing feed additives for its cattle as part of its GHG abatement strategy.

In FY22, the company reported its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (market-based) as 40,138 t CO2-eq and 30,794 t CO2-eq, respectively. But, it does not disclose the Scope 3 emissions.

The company does not disclose any information on GHG emissions from animal farming. The company does not disclose any information on GHG emissions from feed production. The company does not disclose any information on GHG emissions from land use change.

The company responds to the CDP, but this is not available publicly. It discloses that a third party does not audit the given data in its sustainability report, and this issue will be evaluated in FY23.

The company reports the reduction of its Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 75,735 in FY21 to 70,932 in FY22, i.e., by 6.34%, considering market-based Scope 2 emissions. However, the GHG inventory is incomplete as the company does not disclose Scope 3 emissions.

The company recognises the impact of climate change on food production and its value chain partners. However, it has not yet conducted a formal climate-related scenario analysis.

The company does not mention the risk of feed availability and price volatility. The company does not mentions the increased heat stress and mortality of animals. The company does not mention the increased veterinary and medicine costs. The company does not disclose information on increased energy costs'; The company does not discuss the risks of a carbon tax on electricity and/or animal protein. The company does not disclose the number of financially material events that occurred as a result of climate risk in the reporting period.

The company does not disclose its commitment to align capital expenditures with its GHG targets.

The company is an active member of Soy Network Switzerland and the Donau Soja association, which supports the responsible cultivation of soy and importing responsibly cultivated soy for feed. It discloses that 45% of soy used in animal feed originates from deforestation-free areas for the Bell Food Group as a whole.

The company has set a target to obtain at least 50% of soy used in poultry production as feed or in its supply chain for meat and meat products in Europe to be deforestation-free and conversion-free. The company has set a target of procuring critical plant-based raw materials, such as soy, from deforestation-free and conversion-free sources by 2030.

The company's commitment to deforestation-free raw materials applies to its entire value chain.

The company reports that currently, 45% of its soy is obtained from deforestation-free and conversion-free sources. It discloses that a third party does not audit data in its sustainability report and that this will be evaluated in FY23. Bell Food has responded to the CDP Forests questionnaire in 2022. However, this is only available to investors.

The company discloses that 99% of all animal raw materials were sourced from deforestation-free and conversion-free sources (90% from the Bell Switzerland business area and 10% imported from outside of Switzerland) in 2022. The company recognises beef produced and procured outside Europe may be associated with a higher deforestation risk, listing the Amazon and Cerrado in Brazil, the Gran Chaco in Paraguay, Argentina and Eastern Australia as high-risk cattle sourcing regions.

In its Supplier Code, the company states that it expects suppliers to not engage in deforestation or conversion of primary forest systems. However, there is no explicit mention of soy producers.

The company does not disclose how compliance in monitored or what actions are taken if non-compliance occurs. Further, the company does no disclose the level of traceability it has of its soy supply chain.

The company discloses that as part of its sustainability strategy for 2022-2026, it will promote alternative protein sources for livestock feed and undertake appropriate projects up until 2030.

The company has analysed 49 production locations using the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. It reports that three locations in Spain, two in France, and one in Romania are situated in high-water risk areas. It has implemented several measures to reduce water consumption and improve water efficiency. For example, water recovery systems that are in place for water reuse. The company also reports water consumption in 2022.

The company discloses a target to reduce water consumption intensity in water-risk and non-risk areas by 50% and 10%, respectively, with a target date of 2026. Further, the company reports the progress against the targets set using 2021 as a baseline year.

The company discloses that in FY22, it consumed almost 6 million m3 of water, of which 64% is drawn sourced from tap water and 36% from Groundwater or spring water. Bell Food discloses that the data is not subject to external auditing and that it will evaluate the issue in FY23. The company reports a reduction in its water consumption in FY22. However, the company reports an overall increase in its water withdrawal for all its business units in FY22 compared to FY21.

The company refers to the negative impact on the environment water consumption can have, however, the company does not have a clear requirement for feed suppliers/farmers to have a water use reduction target.

The company discloses that it uses soy procured exclusively from countries such as Serbia, Ukraine, Italy and Germany for broiler farming (and imports soy from Brazil when sourcing from these regions is not possible). All of these regions are areas of low-medium to extremely high risk based on the WRI aqueduct tool. However, the company does not explicitly disclose the proportion of feed sources from water-stressed areas. It discloses that it is expanding its range of plant-based raw materials sourced through sustainable cultivation. However, it is unclear if this applies to feed raw materials.

The company discloses that it conducts the on-site inspections of suppliers regularly to ensure GLOBALG.A.P. requirements are adhered to. However, it does not disclose information related to water scarcity risks in animal farming.

The company has not established partnerships with third parties to input into sourcing/farming strategy, including water use.

The company has a target to ensure the optimisation of wastewater management but does not provide any detailed information relating to penalties for wastewater discharge. A water risk assessment has identified locations in Spain, France, and Romania as being the at-stress regions categorised as high and extremely high risk. The company has set the target to optimise its wastewater management. However, no evidence was found that the company has a wastewater quality target including at least one of the major pollutants like COD, BOC, TSS, etc. No evidence was found that the company has a target for reducing wastewater discharge.

The company does not disclose the quality or volume of wastewater discharge. No evidence was found that wastewater related data has been audited, and the company did not respond to the CDP water questionnaire in 2022.

The company has not improved the wastewater quality at aggregate level compared to the previous reporting period or reduced the volume of wastewater discharged.

No information was found relating to nutrient management in feed farming.

The company recognizes the impact pesticides can have on the environment through the procurement of raw materials. However, the company does not disclose information about pesticide use in its feed supply chain.

The company states that a proportion of its salad waste (9%) generated in Romania is used for biogas production. However, no explicit evidence was found regarding utilizing manure from animal farming for biogas production or for use as a fertiliser.

The company does not make site-specific nutrient management plans a part of its supplier's contractual agreement and/or own farms management. Nor does it provides technical and/or financial support to suppliers and/or own farms to develop nutrient management plans and improve manure storage.

The company does not integrate nutrient management performance into incentive schemes for farmers. It does not discuss innovation in manure or provide evidence of a community engagement plan in relation to pollution.

The company commits to a prudent antibiotics policy aligning with EU and Swiss regulations. It actively participates in the Swiss Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (StAR), endorsing projects aimed at curtailing therapeutic antibiotic use in livestock operations. Notably, it maintains stringent surveillance over antibiotic dispensation, restricting it to exceptional circumstances under veterinary oversight and focusing significantly on preventative animal health measures. Nonetheless, the policy falls short of providing a clear prohibition against all categories of antibiotics, and lacks explicit details on the implementation of preventive measures. Moreover, there is a discernible gap in disclosure pertaining to antibiotic usage in beef and pork farming.

The company does not disclose the quantity of antibiotics used.

The company commits to the 'Five Freedoms' set by the World Organisation for Animal Health and applies this policy across all operations and product categories. It mandates regular professional training for all staff involved in animal handling and reserves the right to terminate transactions with suppliers violating its animal welfare policy. However, while the company engages with producers for animal health improvement, it does not disclose details.

The company commits to the Particularly Animal-Friendly Stabling Systems (PAS) programme to address overcrowding and extends these standards internationally for poultry. It commits to avoiding routine mutilation, only conducted under anaesthesia, and ensures humane slaughtering. Animal housing offers enriched environments, including increased perches for poultry. However, it lacks a specific commitment to limiting transport time to eight hours or less.

The company discloses that Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) and bsi Schwarzenbek conduct independent inspections for animal welfare, earning a "good" rating for beef slaughtering and a "very good" rating for pork slaughtering. It also states that some beef, poultry, and pork products have animal welfare labels or certifications, including Natura Beef, Bio Suisse and EU Organic. The company discloses that 59% of its slaughtered beef carries animal welfare certifications such as Natura Beef and Natura Veal. The company reports that 39% of pigs slaughtered have labels or certifications for improved animal welfare. The company holds labels and certifications for improved animal welfare in its poultry production. It reports that these certifications cover 44% of poultry slaughtered in FY2022.

The company reports an annual increase in procured and slaughtered animals with welfare labels and certifications and in the sales revenue from animal products with such labels. It also commits to a 100% procurement target for eggs and egg products, meeting at least one animal welfare standard, and has achieved 92% of this goal in 2022.

The company reports an annual increase in procured and slaughtered animals with welfare labels and certifications and in the sales revenue from animal products with such labels. It also commits to a 100% procurement target for eggs and egg products, meeting at least one animal. The company maintains a comprehensive animal welfare policy applicable to all species, focusing on pre-slaughter stunning and fostering natural animal behaviour. It aligns with the PAS programme and certification, detailing stocking density criteria and emphasising enhanced poultry perching to facilitate natural behaviour. However, no evidence is provided on commitments to an 8-hour transportation limit, prohibition of dehorning, gestation crates, tail docking, or surgical castration.

The company commits in writing to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the relevant conventions and guidelines of the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The company conducts the multistage risk analysis process to identify the human rights risks in the supply chain, involving assessments of product-related and country-specific/regional risks to quantify risk exposure. However, the company does not provide a detailed discussion of a human rights due diligence process for its operations. The company monitors compliance through recognised social standards and certificates (BSCI, Sedex, SMETA, etc.) in high-risk supply chains. Furthermore, it states that if a supplier violates human rights, the company will investigate the matter, demand that the supplier address the violation, and end the relationship with the supplier if the offence is not handled. In addition, each department of the company conducts regular human rights risk analyses to identify potential opportunities and risks at an early stage across the entire value chain. Suppose the company identifies risks or violations in its operations. In that case, the situation is analysed by the relevant management personnel with support from the internal audit team and an appropriate course of action is determined. To mitigate risk in its supply chain, the company states that it has created a declaration of human rights. However, the company must provide more detail on managing identified risks through mitigation and remediation.

The company does not disclose whether it has identified any human rights risks in its operations through human rights due diligence

The company commits in writing to prohibit discrimination and abuse, child labour, and forced labour in its operations and supply chain. However, the company does not commit to paying fair wages or require suppliers to do so. In addition, the company discloses that internal auditors are required to investigate any signs of misconduct, but, as per the company code of conduct, this only covers harassment and discrimination.

The company does not provide evidence of actually carrying out supplier audits of these policies despite reserving the right to do so. The company provides details of its grievance mechanism, which is open to all stakeholders to report any code of conduct violation. Further, the company states that it operates a confidential and anonymous reporting office. However, no public disclosure is found discussing the number or type of grievances raised during the reporting period.

The company states that occupational health and safety is a central aspect of the company's corporate responsibility. However, the company does not disclose holding a certification covering all key aspects of occupational health and safety. Promisingly, the company discloses that Bell Germany is preparing to introduce a management system for health and safety certified according to ISO 45001 in 2023.

The company does not individually disclose the number/rate of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses (TRIR or LTIR). The company does disclose the employee turnover rate was 34% in FY2022 but does not disaggregate this by seniority level.

The company discloses that it adheres to the International Labour Organization conventions and attaches importance to the right to freedom of assembly and collective bargaining but does not disclose the unionisation rate. The company also expects its suppliers to recognise their employees' right to freedom of assembly and collective bargaining.

The company discloses that 81% of employees were covered by a collective labour or collective bargaining agreement in FY2022. Furthermore, the company reports the distribution of its workforce across existing contractual agreements, including permanent and fixed-term employment contracts, full-time and part-time employees, and subcontracted employees.

The company states that 100% of its production volume in 2022 comes from GFSI-certified facilities. 85% of production locations comply with the IFS, and the remaining areas are certified according to BRC and FSSC 22000. Further, it discloses that it prefers suppliers who fulfil its quality criteria and that suppliers are audited annually. However, it is not clear whether this criteria includes food safety certifications.

The company discloses that an independent organisation annually inspects all food safety systems. It reports six deviations relating to information and the labelling of products and services determined and corrected in the reporting year. However, the corrective action rates associated with facilities' non-conformances are not disclosed. It discusses implementing a traceability system over the entire value chain. However, no evidence was identified within the disclosed information whether the system will consist of consumer-facing technology.

The company discloses that in case of a recall, immediate measures were initiated in the respective facilities by the structured crisis management of the Group. All measurements are coordinated with the responsible authorities. No further detailed information regarding the company's product recall system is mentioned. However, there were a total of three public recalls in 2022.

The company does not disclose information related to market bans in the reporting period, and none is detected in media screening.

The company discloses that the board of directors has approved the new sustainability strategy. In addition, the company discloses that it conducted a materiality analysis with an external consulting agency in the years 2020 and 2021 based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) principles. It discloses that the key issues identified are greenhouse gas emissions and energy, water, disposal and recovery, ecosystems, animal welfare, health and safety in the workplace, employment conditions, and governance. However, whether the board is involved in the materiality assessment is still being determined. The company discloses board-level experience in sustainability and innovation but does not mention whether any board members have food safety expertise.

The company has not disclosed executive monetary remunerations linked with climate performance. The company states that it engages with the Mutterkuh Schweiz Association and the Simmentaler Original Association on the issue of animal welfare. However, it does not discuss engaging civil or trade associations on other ESG issues or mention whether it engages with policy-makers on climate change. That said, the company provides a list of partnerships and memberships with trade and industry associations.

Whilst the company discusses innovating in the field of sustainability to some extent, it does not mention details or indicate the presence of a sustainability innovation strategy. In addition, the company does not disclose how it benchmarks itself against peers in sustainability and innovation.

The company specialises in plant-based meat alternatives and offers over 100 vegan products. However, whether it acknowledges protein diversification as a material business issue is unclear. It reports total sales in segments, i.e., meat-based products (79%) and vegetarian products (21%). However, it is unclear what proportion of sales are from alternative protein products alone. Further, it has not yet set a timebound target to diversify protein sources.

The company's business unit, Hilcona, has established a brand specialising in plant-based meat alternatives, "The Green Mountain". Further, it states that the Green Mountain burger was the first vegetable-based burger developed and produced in Switzerland. In 2020, it invested EUR 5.0 million in the subsequent financing round of Mosa Meat, which was used to build its production technology. The start of the approval process to install a large-scale production facility is planned for 2023. It also plans to expand the production facility for its vegetarian and vegan range at Hilcona's headquarters in Schaan as part of further investments expected to total CHF170 million.