Global Aquaculture Standards & Certification: Understanding the Implications for Canada

February 24/25, 2009

How We Got HereMay 2008 Workshop: Key Results

Need for Clarity: What is meant by sustainability, standards and certification?

Urgent Need:Improve and streamline federal/provincial environmental regulation governing aquaculture.

Collaboratively Establish:Collective goals and strategies for certification to be led by industry and supported by government.

Define Roles:Industry and Government, especially vis-a-vis third party certification.

Address Financing Questions:How will producers bear the costs and achieve ROI?

Linked Information Campaign:Industry and government need to inform and educate retailers and consumers about the quality and sustainability of aquaculture in Canada.

How We Got Here

May 2008 Workshop: “How to Proceed”

1. Unanimous Agreement: a) Governments’ top priority is Regulatory reform, plus active promotion of

awareness in markets of what Canadian government regulations deliver.

2. Majority Agreement:a) Communication activities are vital, including web sites discussing the strength of

Canadian regulations, with respect to sustainability

3. Majority Agreement: a) Canadian leadership and influence in international aquaculture market-certification

(e.g. WWF, FAO, ISO) to protect and position Canada as a leader in proving sustainability of its products

4. Majority Agreement:a) Development of market and sector intelligence a priorityb) Caveat that industry should be directly involved in development of projects.

5. Mixed Opinions (50/50 split):a) Develop certification programs in partnership with stakeholders - in a manner that

promotes a pan-Canadian or national image of the regulatory environment

6. Majority Agreement: a) Consider Industry/government collaboration on the development of generic

materials and/or information to support individual companies.

7. Majority Agreement: a) Concept of developing a Canadian Statement of Sustainable Practice to which

industry would commit. Viewed as a collaborative effort having government endorsement at the end.

May 2008 Workshop: “How to Proceed”

Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum

Transparent, industry/government partnership to address key certification issues and help build capacity

Provide industry with appropriately developed approaches and options related to Standards and Certification

“Communication Hub” around standards & certification

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Guarantee and heighten long-term marketability of Canadian aquaculture products by meeting supply chain requirements with respect

to quality and sustainable sourcing standards.

Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum

Managed and directed by CAIA, in partnership with government

Oversight from a Project Management Team

Assistance from IFQC (International Involvements, Experience, and Market Intelligence)

CASF Project Management TeamRuth Salmon Executive Director CAIA

Brian Fortune Atlantic Aqua Farms Partnership

Brian Meaney ADM Aquaculture, DFA Newfoundland and Labrador

Richard Harry Executive Director, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA)

Trevor Swerdfager Aquaculture Director, DFO

Mary Ellen Walling Executive Director, BCSFA

Bev Bacon Independent QMS Consultant

Linda Sams CEO, B.C. Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences

Mike Rose (Ex Officio) IFQC (Canada)

3 Key Roles of Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum:

#1: EducationPromote common and shared understandings of existing and emerging aquaculture standards and certification processes.

Prepare for long-term environment which features numerous interoperable standards and certification options.

Key Role of Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum

#2: Leadership

Actively participate in - and Lead - Sustainability Agenda (Instead of Being Controlled by External Agendas)

Provide Industry with “Clear Choices”

Assist DFO (Governments) with relevant and orderly programming – a sounding board for government around

standards & certification

Role of Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum

#3: Technical Expertise

Form sector specific, technical Working Groups as needed

Provide specific analysis and recommendations to allow sectors and companies to make informed choices

Canadian Aquaculture Standards Forum

Therefore, How We Got Here …?

May 2008 Workshop: “How to Proceed”

February 2009 Workshop

CASF a Direct Response to “All” May 2008 Recommendations On “How to Proceed”f

February 2009 Workshop

Objectives:

A. Continuing Education• Expand your understanding of standards & certification• Help to identify and assess the value of standard &

certification programs • Identify range of Industry Options – provide clarity around

what suits your needs?

B. Clarify Future Direction & Next Steps

Workshop Agenda

• Speakers• Keynote Industry Presentation over lunch• Breakout Session

– Shellfish & Finfish– Range of Options of Standards & Certification

Programs– Discuss options for Moving Forward

• Plenary (3:15 – 3:30pm) - Breakout Session Feedback, Discussion & Action Steps

Moving Forward: possible action steps

Continue information flow through CASF Clarify roles for industry & government – who

does what? Technical Working Groups Identified

(shellfish/finfish) Determine by sector &/or region readiness for a

range of programs (via mock audits / benchmarking)

Establish goals/strategies/plan for each sector Development of National Principles Communication Activities (generic materials to

support certification) / Website

Moving Forward: possible action steps?

Linked information campaign – gov’t & industry Canadian leadership in international processes

(WWF, ISO, FAO) Market Sector intelligence Other