February 22, 2008

IFFO develops code of responsibility practise
 

The Board of International Fishmeal and Fish-oil Organisation (IFFO) have decided to develop a new business tool to demonstrate their responsible practises in the manufacturing of their products.

Changing markets for fishmeal and fish oil have convinced the Board of the need to develop a tool that could show consumers that their products are of high standards, which include responsible purchase of raw materials, safe manufacturing, and quality and traceability.

This plan would be made voluntary, although it is hoped that most IFFO members will join in, and compliance will require a third-party inspection.

The company will have to ensure zero possibility of accidental or deliberate product contamination, that raw materials are from managed fisheries with governments that comply to the FAO Code of Responsible Fishing, and that no illegal fish are used.

The purpose of the code is to reassure consumers that the products are produced with care and responsibility. This will also allow IFFO members to differentiate their products from those that are produced in facilities that do not have satisfactory control measures.

The code will be developed over the few months with the hope that it will be ready for board approval at the 2008 October Conference in San Diego.