USA – SCS Global Services (SCS) has been appointed as the inaugural auditor accredited to provide certification for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) Feed Standard.
This milestone underscores a commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility within the aquaculture sector.
As a leading third-party certification body, SCS brings its extensive expertise and credibility to the certification process for aquaculture feed.
The company’s approval as the first certification body for ASC’s new feed certification marks a pivotal moment in enhancing industry standards.
SCS adheres to ASC’s rigorous Feed Standard requirements, which encompass evaluating the entire feed production process, from raw material sourcing to feed formulation and production.
This comprehensive approach ensures adherence to strict environmental and social criteria, fostering sustainable practices across the aquaculture supply chain.
Jason Swecker, Managing Director of Seafood at SCS Global Services, expressed the company’s dedication to promoting sustainability across various industries.
“SCS Global Services is committed to fostering sustainable practices across various industries, and this collaboration enables us to contribute our expertise to the aquaculture sector,” Swecker stated.
The ASC’s Feed Standard sets stringent requirements for the sourcing of all major feed ingredients, aiming to protect marine ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and mitigate environmental degradation associated with aquaculture activities.
By promoting responsible sourcing practices and sustainable seafood farming practices, the certification program aims to drive positive environmental and social impact.
Alexandra Warrington, Senior Coordinator of the Feed Standard at ASC, emphasized the critical role of responsible feed sourcing in advancing sustainable aquaculture practices.
“Ensuring the feed used in seafood farming is sourced responsibly is essential to moving aquaculture towards more sustainable practices,” Warrington highlighted.
ASC-certified farms are required to transition their feed supply to mills certified against the Feed Standard by October 2025. Feed mills certified in 2024 will benefit from waived license fees on compliant feed production for the calendar year, incentivizing the timely adoption of sustainable feed practices.
Both SCS and ASC share a common goal of fostering a resilient and sustainable aquaculture industry through responsible feed practices. The adoption of the innovative certification program invites active participation from all industry stakeholders, including feed manufacturers and seafood farmers, in advancing sustainability objectives.
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