Adjusting the deadline for meeting standards on aquatic feed

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has given aquaculture farms more time to meet its standards for aquafeed.

People of Kien Hai commune ( Hai Phong city) harvest aquatic products. Photo: Tien Dat

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has approved a major change that will give aquaculture farms more time to meet its feed standards. The move comes after industry complaints about difficulties in sourcing ASC-certified feed.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the feed standards will be officially applied by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council from 2023, as a basis for certifying aquaculture feed factories and raw material suppliers that meet ASC standards. In February 2025, ASC extended the mandatory deadline for using standard feed from January to October 31, 2025.

However, recently, ASC communications representative Gaynyr Dickson said that ASC has approved a new flexibility measure. Accordingly, farms can be exempted once to continue using uncertified feed after October 31, 2025, with conditions attached. This exemption does not mean an extension of the deadline, but a mechanism to handle specific non-compliance situations, with a clear timeline.

Farms that achieve 75% compliance with ASC feed sourcing will have a further 18 months to achieve full compliance. Failure to do so will result in a Minor NC. Farms that are below 75% compliance and have not demonstrated efforts to source certified suppliers will receive a Major NC. However, businesses can apply for an exemption, with evidence of a shortage of certified supplies in the market, along with a commitment from their suppliers to pursue ASC certification.

ASC communications representative Gaynyr Dickson said that the supply of certified feed is still not enough to meet the needs of the entire aquaculture industry. The ASC's adjustment comes from the real challenges that exist in some species and geographical areas in complying with the strict requirements of ASC.

Currently, there are 35 aquafeed factories in 14 countries around the world that have been ASC certified. In Vietnam, Grobest and Skretting are the first two units to achieve certification, contributing to bringing Vietnamese aquaculture closer to sustainable development and transparency throughout the chain.

Vietnam is leading the world in developing ASC-certified seafood, especially in two strategic products: shrimp and pangasius. Currently, the entire ASC-certified pangasius production in the world comes from Vietnam. This is a vivid demonstration of the quality and reputation of Vietnamese pangasius products in the world market, and also a strong shift of the industry towards green and sustainable development.

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Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/dieu-chinh-thoi-han-dap-ung-tieu-chuan-ve-thuc-an-thuy-san-520607.html