In an interview for CNN in the US, Wally Stevens, GAA Executive Director, said that the Solidarity Centre, which produced the report 'The Degradation of Work: The True Cost of Shrimp', should provide specific details or deliver an apology to the countries and companies involved in shrimp production.
He said that over the past 10 years, GAA has led the way in the development of global aquaculture standards and its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards encompass social justice issues and labor regulations as well as food safety, traceability and the environmental standards.
Producers seeking BAP certification must undergo a rigorous, independent audit by a recognised certification body. Companies that do not measure up on all of the key areas are not certified. Failure to maintain compliance will also veto BAP certification.
He questioned why the report’s authors chose to release their report without contacting the GAA. The organisation has vast experience in this area and would have gladly co-operated.
“We prefer a solution-oriented approach rather than one that creates headlines and creates a climate of fear, uncertainty and doubt,” added Stevens.
Stevens pointed out the fact that one-third of the shrimp consumed in the United States has been processed at BAP-certified facilities.
He said that over the past 10 years, GAA has led the way in the development of global aquaculture standards and its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards encompass social justice issues and labor regulations as well as food safety, traceability and the environmental standards.
Producers seeking BAP certification must undergo a rigorous, independent audit by a recognised certification body. Companies that do not measure up on all of the key areas are not certified. Failure to maintain compliance will also veto BAP certification.
Families Valued
“Families are at the heart of the seafood industry in the United States and around the globe, and we who are in the business of putting food on American tables consider any evidence of child labor or worker abuse to be abhorrent,” said Stevens during the interview,He questioned why the report’s authors chose to release their report without contacting the GAA. The organisation has vast experience in this area and would have gladly co-operated.
“We prefer a solution-oriented approach rather than one that creates headlines and creates a climate of fear, uncertainty and doubt,” added Stevens.
Stevens pointed out the fact that one-third of the shrimp consumed in the United States has been processed at BAP-certified facilities.
Further Reading
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