The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has provided two draft documents the standards/guidelines and accompanying audit form online. The first file outlines the standards, as well as the reasons for their requirements and how best to comply with the standards. The draft audit form indicates how evaluators will review feed mills for compliance with the BAP standards.
In addition to social and environmental responsibility, the new feed mill standards encompass food safety and traceability. Audit questions address potential chemical and other safety hazards, and require certified feed plants to comply with regulations regarding feed ingredients. The feed mills must also obtain marine meals and oils from sustainable sources and provide information on the levels of these products used in feeds.
The Standards Oversight Committee recently approved the release of the new standards for public comment after reviewing an initial draft submitted by the Feed Mill Technical Committee. After evaluating comments received, the technical committee will consider changes to the standards and forward a revised document to the SOC for further approval. All properly submitted comments will be acknowledged.
GAA Executive director, Wally Stevens, said the release of the draft standards for feed mills is a significant milestone for the aquaculture community. "Real or perceived, feeds are the limiting factor in the growth of responsible aquaculture.
"For that reason, we view the responsible production of feeds as one of the top three issues that our industry must address -- and one that we will address at our upcoming GOAL meeting in Seattle," he said.
Drafts of the new Best Aquaculture Practices standards for feed mills are available online [see link below] or comments can be submitted by e-mail or fax to BAP Standards Coordinator Daniel Lee (dangaelle@aol.com, +44 1248 716729) or Technical Committee chairman, Sergio Nates (snates@nationalrenderers.com, +1 703 683 2626). Interested parties should submit comments by 31 October.
Further Reading
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