EFFOP Webinar on new developments in the ASC, MSC and MarinTrust standards

On 23 September, EFFOP hosted a webinar on new developments in the ASC, MSC and MarinTrust certification standards. The main focus of the webinar was the handling and certification of fish by-products for fishmeal and fish oil production.

The webinar was well attended and important for the EFFOP members in order for them to better understand the standards and their new developments.

The following presemtations where given at the webinar:

1. “ASC – The need for sustainable marine ingredients” by Michiel Fransen, Director Standards and Science Department, ASC
2. “The MSC program as tool for fishmeal-fishoil producers” by Camiel Derichs, Program Development Director, MSC
3. “The MarinTrust Programme – standard development & recognition” by Libby Woodhatch, Executive Chair, MarinTrust Governing Body

EFFOP members can see the presentations on the members page in the Conference folder – click here

It is vital for the EFFOP members that all standards and certifications remain relevant, robust and fit for purpose.

European producers support the standards and recognize the need for full transparency, traceability and responsibility in fisheries and production of fishmeal and fish oil. However, especially in regard to Marin Trust, a further development of the standard must consider the regional diversity in fisheries and production. A one-size-fits-all is not a viable way forward as there are vast geographical differences in the regulatory environment of the fisheries and production facilities worldwide.

EFFOP strongly advice the use of a regional risk-based approach and due diligence in the Marin Trust Version 3 in line with the approach taken by ASC in their feed standard version 1 (15. June 2021) click here.

ASC has developed a standardized and stringent process for Due Diligence, and we recommend that Marin Trust aligns fully with this process. This is particularly important regarding the use of bycatch and byproducts where a similar low-risk methodology should be used in the MarinTrust standard V3.

In Europe, all fisheries are strictly regulated and subject to catch limitations at regional, national and vessel level. Control measures include access to waters, catch volumes, fishing effort, technical measures and the monitoring and registration of catches. Furthermore, all European producers are subject to strict legislations on employment, environment, and production and all production permits are based on full compliance with all relevant regulations.

The very low risk of fisheries and marine ingredients production not complying with legal, social and environmental standards must be reflected in the needs for documentation in the Marin Trust certification.