An updated action plan for fish supplied to Mars Petcare is being hailed as a partial victory by Greenpeace, campaigner Kate Simcock says.
She and others were in Whanganui on May 19, to blockade the petfood factory in Castlecliff against supplies sourced from Thai Union, a company linked with slavery scandals and "really aggressive" fishing practices.
Greenpeace has also applied pressure through petitions, social media and spoof TV advertising.Mars' plan still needs detail fleshed out, but is a "turning point", Ms Simcock said. Suppliers who do not comply with it can have their contracts cut.
"It puts pressure squarely back on their suppliers."
The action plan will require Mars to have more people on the ground in Thailand, make product traceable back to its sources and involve human rights organisations in stopping labour abuse on fishing boats and in factories.