Responsible Production, Animal Welfare & Climate Standards

SPLEATS Sustainability Framework

This document outlines the sustainability, agricultural, and animal welfare principles applied by SPLEATS when evaluating and representing specialty food producers.

Food quality cannot be separated from how food is produced. Agricultural systems shape soil health, biodiversity, water resources, animal welfare, and global greenhouse gas emissions.¹ The food sector accounts for approximately one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally, with agriculture representing the largest share within that system.²

SPLEATS recognizes that food production must evolve in response to climate science, biodiversity loss, and ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare. Our standards therefore extend beyond ingredient selection to encompass production practices and long-term environmental responsibility.

1. Climate Responsibility in Agriculture

Agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through land use change, livestock methane, fertilizer application, and energy-intensive processing.² ³ The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized that improved agricultural practices, soil carbon management, and reduced land degradation are essential components of climate mitigation strategies.³

SPLEATS prioritizes producers who demonstrate measurable efforts toward:

Responsible land management practices that maintain or improve soil carbon and fertility.
Reduced reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers where agronomically feasible.
Water stewardship practices that prevent resource depletion and contamination.
Energy-efficient processing systems or transition toward renewable energy where possible.

We acknowledge that agricultural systems vary by region and scale. Our approach is not absolute exclusion, but preference for producers who can demonstrate commitment to climate-aware production and continuous environmental improvement.

2. Biodiversity and Soil Health

Scientific consensus identifies biodiversity loss and soil degradation as major systemic risks to long-term food security.¹ ⁴ Intensive monoculture systems and overuse of agrochemicals contribute to ecosystem decline.

SPLEATS encourages sourcing from producers who incorporate biodiversity-supportive practices, including crop rotation, diversified planting systems, integrated pest management, and reduced soil disturbance. Where appropriate, regenerative agricultural models that enhance soil organic matter and ecological resilience are viewed positively.⁵

Our objective is not certification-driven compliance, but meaningful alignment with practices that protect agricultural ecosystems over time.

3. Animal Welfare Standards

Animal agriculture raises both environmental and ethical considerations. Livestock production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and land use change, while welfare conditions directly impact animal health and product quality.² ³

SPLEATS requires that animal-derived products originate from systems that respect recognized welfare frameworks. We prioritize producers who:

Do not use synthetic growth hormones such as recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST/rBGH), a practice prohibited within the European Union.⁶
Avoid routine antibiotic administration for growth promotion, consistent with global public health guidance.⁷
Provide species-appropriate housing conditions and opportunities for natural behaviors.
Comply with European Union animal welfare legislation or equivalent standards, including Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.⁸

Where possible, we encourage pasture access, responsible stocking densities, and humane transport and slaughter practices consistent with Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009.⁹ ¹⁰

SPLEATS does not engage suppliers operating intensive confinement systems that severely restrict animal movement without welfare justification.

4. Responsible Processing and Resource Efficiency

Sustainability extends beyond primary agriculture into processing and distribution. Food waste, excessive packaging, and energy-intensive manufacturing contribute materially to environmental impact.¹ ²

SPLEATS favors production systems that:

Minimize food waste across the supply chain.
Avoid unnecessary chemical acceleration of production processes.
Pursue resource-efficient manufacturing practices.
Use packaging solutions that balance product protection with environmental impact considerations.

We recognize that no system is impact-free. Our goal is continuous reduction of environmental footprint within realistic operational boundaries.

5. Continuous Improvement and Accountability

SPLEATS evaluates producers during onboarding and may request documentation related to:

Environmental management systems.
Animal welfare policies and certifications.
Antibiotic and hormone use declarations.
Sustainability reporting where available.

We do not require perfection. We require transparency, accountability, and demonstrable commitment to improvement.

Our framework aligns with international scientific consensus recognizing that sustainable agricultural transformation is necessary to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and long-term food system resilience.¹ ³ ⁴

Position Statement

SPLEATS acknowledges the complexity of global food production. We recognize that regulatory systems differ and that agricultural realities vary by geography and scale.

Our standards reflect a commitment to responsible production practices grounded in scientific evidence, regulatory frameworks, and ethical consideration for both animals and ecosystems.

Raising the standard of food means supporting systems that sustain the planet, respect animal welfare, and contribute to long-term climate resilience.

Quality is not only what we taste. It is what we sustain.

References

  1. FAO. The State of Food and Agriculture 2021. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2021.

  2. Crippa, M. et al. “Food systems are responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions.” Nature Food. 2021;2:198–209.

  3. IPCC. Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Working Group III Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report, 2022.

  4. IPBES. Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. 2019.

  5. Lal, R. “Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security.” Science. 2004;304(5677):1623–1627.

  6. European Commission Decision 1999/879/EC concerning the prohibition of bovine somatotropin in dairy production.

  7. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines on Use of Medically Important Antimicrobials in Food-Producing Animals. 2017.

  8. Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.

  9. Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

  10. Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.