by Petter Johannessen, Director General, IFFO
Food
safety and sustainability of the products are two sides of the same medal
Last month we celebrated the world’s food safety day. This is an excellent opportunity
to stress that food safety and sustainability of the products are two sides of
the same medal and two pillars of the food production system. In the 90s and
until the 2010s, the push to promote free trade opened up new markets but also
raised concerns about people’s welfare and the future of natural resources.
Voluntary guidelines emerged including a variety of advice given to purchasers
of seafood as to what they should buy if they wish to be seen to be behaving
responsibly and buying responsibly sourced products. Among these, we find
in-depth audited standards, but also quick and easy-to-use indicators to
customers as what to be aware of when making buying decisions. Standards are
not only here to ensure responsible sourcing: full traceability and product
segregation are key requirements. Quality feed meaning quality food, marine
ingredients are at the starting point of the value chain and what they contain
is passed on to humans.
Endorsement by third parties
The difference between in-depth audited standards and quick and easy-to-use
indicators is that published standards can be used by an independent auditor to
carry out certification. Robust standards operate in alignment with
international guidelines, which provide assurance to all stakeholders and allow
consistency at a global scale. The FAO Code of Conduct for responsible
fisheries plays an integral part in recognition of compliance to certification
standards in the fisheries assessments.
This year, the FAO Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries will celebrate its
25th anniversary. While global production of fish and seafood has trebled
between 1960-90, the Code has informed the development of international
instruments, policies and programmes to support responsible management efforts.
By doing so, it has encouraged the development of sustainable aquaculture
practices throughout the world, “The Code recognises the nutritional, economic,
social, environmental and cultural importance of fisheries and the interests of
all stakeholders of the fishing and aquaculture industries. It takes into
account the biological characteristics of the resources and their environment
and the interests of consumers and other users.”
Read more, HERE.
The Aquaculturists
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