August 21, 2014
 

ASEAN completes draft for new shrimp standard

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has drafted a standard for the shrimp farmed in their region, which is expected to be effective in early 2015, in line with the ASEAN Economic Integration.

The draft has been designed by a steering committee of 14 industry and non-government stakeholders. The concept is that the shrimp industry of the countries forming part of the organisation can use it as a working tool to improve the sustainability, environmental and social performance of farming, particularly at the small-scale, and receive recognition in key export markets.

According to the 16-page draft, "today more than 30 aquaculture standards exist, all with distinct scopes that address social and environmental issues through different methods and none of which were defined explicitly for the ASEAN region". "This makes it difficult and costly for farmers and processors to select a path to certification that will be rewarded in the market. As a result, each works on several different standards to meet buyer requirements adding significantly to costs," it adds.

The ASEAN shrimp standard steering committee considers that the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 will make it possible for the region to become one of the 10 biggest economies in the world and a key player in the global seafood industry.

The steering committee includes two organisations from the Philippines, the Tambuyog Development Centre and the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc. The rest of the members are the FAIRAGRO, Kasetsart University, Network of Aquaculture Centres Asia Pacific, Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) and Thai Farmers Council in Thailand; Indonesian Fishery Product Processing & Marketing Association, Surya University and Wetlands International in Indonesia; International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture & Fisheries Sustainability and Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers (VASEP) in Vietnam; and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch^® and Chicken of the Sea in the US.

The steering committee welcomes comments on the draft standards from farmers, experts and other stakeholders engaged in shrimp farming as well as from the public until October 10, 2014.