August 20, 2009

 

Aquaculture council announces transition to ISO-certified inspectors

 

 

The Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC), the non-profit organisation that certifies hatcheries, farms and processing plants for compliance with Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards, has announced a major change to the way it will conduct facility inspections. 

 

The transition is already underway and will be completed in 2010, said president Jim Heerin.

 

The initial certification bodies are Global Trust (formerly IFQC) and Michigan-based NSF, with more groups to be enlisted over time, Heerin said.

 

As part of this transition, ACC will identify itself as "BAP Certification Management" to reflect its new focus on managing the certification of BAP standards, as well as on educating and training producers in developing countries to encourage development of responsible and sustainable aquaculture, Heerin said.

 

He said the transition is a milestone for the BAP programme as it evolves to meet marketplace requirements. The use of ISO-certified inspectorates allows BAP certification to comply with the harshest international criteria, to benchmark with the Global Food Safety Initiative and the FAO's technical guidelines on aquaculture certification.

 

Heerin said BAP evaluators will continue to conduct inspections during the transition, in conjunction with ISO-certified inspection bodies, and ACC staff will continue to play a vital role in managing the certification process.