VN catfish firms certificated for responsible practices
VN catfish firms certificated for responsible practices
On Wednesday, five Vietnamese pangasius producers were awarded the ASC certification for responsible aquaculture, a reward for their responsible farming practices by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Vinh Hoan Corporation, Vinh Quang Fisheries Corporation, NTACO Corporation, Hung Vuong Corporation, and Hoang Long Seafood Processing Company were honored during a gathering organized by the Vietnam Directorate of Fishery, VASEP, VINAFIS and WWF in Ho Chi Minh City.
The certification by the ASC recognizes fish farms that have met rigorous environmental and social criteria and have organized their farming methods in a demonstrably responsible manner, the council said on its website.
“Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production system in the world, and its rapid expansion has not come without impacts,” ASC’s CEO Chris Ninnes spoke at the event.
“ASC certification recognizes and rewards farms that are following responsible practices.
“This includes conservation of water resources, no misuse of antibiotics, responsible use of feed, and behaving in a socially responsible manner.”
The Vietnamese catfish sector is expected to achieve its target to certify ten percent, or 60,000 tons, of the country’s pangasius production for export under the ASC responsible farming program by the end of 2012, the ASC said.
Vietnam accounts for 90 percent of the world pangasius exports, and total export turnovers gained from the fish reached $1.85 billion last year.
But the industry is currently in a tough spot with a number of catfish processing firms in the Mekong Delta, recently having to cease operation due to the raw material shortage and the huge debts to banks and fish raisers, according to Duong Ngoc Minh, deputy chairman of the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
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