Codes of Conduct/practice in Aquaculture

1. Codes of Conduct/practice in Aquaculture Vibeke Kristensen

2. Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries • Overexploitation of Fisheries resources • Code prepared by the FAO of the UN

3. Article 9: Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries • Responsible development of Aquaculture • in areas under National jurisdiction • within trans-boundary aquatic ecosystems • Use aquatic genetic resources for aquaculture • Responsible aquaculture at the production level

4. Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries • Responsibility through • Control and regulated actions • Inter-State co-operation • Active participation of the production sector within responsible management practices • Promote the provision of an enabling environment for fisheries and aquaculture

5. Food Safety • A range of issues had affected consumer confidence • B.S.E. (‘Mad Cow’ disease) • Dioxin/PCB contamination in feedstuffs • Procedures used in farming livestock • Position of GMO’s in farming and food supply

6. Food Safety • ‘White Paper’ on Food Safety prepared by EC Commission • European Food Authority • Centre for scientific excellence • Assurance of a high level of human health and consumer protection

7. What did the FEAP wish for • allow the establishment of desirable, acceptable and predictable actions or behaviour • be the first step towards formal, legal instruments • demonstrate the voluntary will of a sector to self-regulate

8. A Code of Conduct is a voluntary and non-binding peer document of declared conduct for those concerned whose prime goal is the promotion of correct sectoral development that is largely self-regulated

9. Codes of Conduct and Practice should • assure the consumer and third parties that • the activity is not harmful to the environment • the sector respects operating standards of the highest possible level

10. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture “Aquaculture should give the best, most healthy and nutritious product possible with the lowest impact on the environment possible using procedures that are economically viable”

11. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture must demonstrate clearly the considerations of the production sector towards…. the fish it rears the environment the consumer

12. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture has as its goal “to establish a common base, through effective self-regulation, for sectoral responsibility in society”

13. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture has as its goals • the responsible development and the responsible management of a viable European aquaculture sector, and • to assure a high standard of quality food production for the consumer

14. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture • addresses the production sector (not the State c.f. FAO Code) • concerns responsibilities for • the interactions with the environment • the welfare of the livestock • the product supplied to the consumer • the people who work in the sector

15. A Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture • Producers should have a clear opinion of what “good conduct” is • Producers should be able to communicate this opinion to those who are concerned or interested bythe aquaculture sector

16. Implementation of the Code • Code should provide a basis for understanding of the sector’s responsibilities • Successful if • Aquaculture producers are committed to application • Further pro-active developments are made as accompanying measures • The Code can be a cornerstone for further actions and developments

17. More information…. www.feap.org www.aquamedia.org secretariat@feap.org

18. Thank you for listening –