Co-op, one of the largest food retailers in the UK, has achieved 100% ablation-free shrimp in their supply chain, committing to implement electrical stunning for all farmed shrimp by 2027. These policies set an important precedent in the UK retail sector, demonstrating that ethical sourcing and innovation in welfare practices are possible and urgent. Co-op’s strong commitment, created with support from Aquatic Life Institute (ALI), also reflects the increasing consumer demand for significant welfare considerations and commitments.
“At Co-op, we are committed to continuously improving animal welfare standards, and all our fresh and frozen shrimp, including where used as an ingredient, are 100% ablation free and we will implement electrical stunning across our entire shrimp supply chain by 2027. Support from organizations such as Aquatic Life Institute has been invaluable, and we’re proud to be making this change,” said a spokesperson for Co-op.
This policy will impact an estimated 37,837,837* shrimp annually. Aquatic Life Institute played a key role in influencing and supporting Co-op’s decision, providing expert recommendations, industry insights, and technical resources. This announcement reflects ALI’s broader efforts to engage major retailers and improve aquatic animal welfare policies across the industry. Co-op joins M&S, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's, which have released similar policies, in strengthening the industry momentum to align business strategies with animal welfare principles. In working with companies like Co-op, Aquatic Life Institute aims to encourage comprehensive policies that include animal welfare as they can help businesses overall - by attracting and retaining customers, building brand loyalty, reducing risks, and setting companies apart from other competitors - on top of the ethical considerations.
By eliminating eyestalk ablation, the painful practice of cutting or crushing a shrimp’s eye stalks to induce rapid egg production, Co-op is preventing unnecessary mutilation and stress. Their policy promotes more ethical farming and business practices, as eyestalk ablation can lead to reduced immune function and higher mortality rates. In addition, by committing to a timeline to implement electrical stunning before slaughter, recognized as the most humane method by scientific studies, Co-op’s policy will ensure instantaneous unconsciousness before slaughter. This reduces the suffering of the shrimp, which experience extreme pain and distress before death in the current slaughter method of slow asphyxiation on ice.
“This shift highlights the business case for improving aquatic animal welfare—meeting sustainability goals, reducing reputational risks, and staying ahead of regulatory and market trends,” said Cecilia Valenza, corporate engagement lead at ALI. “This is not just a Co-op success—this is a step toward industry-wide reform, encouraging other companies to adopt similar commitments. We urge other retailers to follow Co-op’s lead by committing to phasing out eyestalk ablation and implementing humane slaughter methods.”
Aquatic Life Institute will continue working with Co-op to support the implementation of these commitments and continue to advise on additional improvements and welfare considerations.
*This calculation is a rough estimate using the average weight of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) at the time of harvest, and annual production volume reported by Co-op.
