Food Security, Safety and Certification

Food safety is a key concern for international trade in fish products. The constantly changing regulatory environment and safety requirements of importing countries pose a special challenge to small-scale aquaculture producers.

The programme assists members to assure the safety and quality of aquaculture products through the adoption of science-based better management practices. Policy issues concerning aquaculture certification and activities in market access are also addressed.

The programme focuses on assisting small-scale farmers to adapt to the changing trade and safety environment. Cluster-based management approaches and formation of farmer societies are promoted as practical mechanisms for implementation of better management practices.

Key activities

  • Evaluation of commodity-specific better management practices for meeting domestic and international food safety standards.
  • Facilitating establishment of national residue testing and monitoring programmes and sharing of information amongst member countries.
  • Improving access to markets by small-scale farmers.
  • Improving market development for low-cost aquaculture commodities.
  • Address biosecurity and associated human health issues regarding the consumption of fish and processed products.
  • Development of farmer groups and cluster-based certification concepts and methodologies.

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A collection of subject tags relating to technical matters.

In this collection

NACA Newsletter Volume XXIII, No. 3, July-September 2008

In this issue:

Aquaculture certification guidelines development process continues in Beijing, Washington D.C. Development of BMPs for catfish farming in Vietnam - survey of management practices. NACA extends cooperation with ADB for tsunami rehabilitation in Indonesia. International hands-on training programme on molecular biology techniques. Cage aquaculture carrying capacity tool now available. 6th Regional Grouper Hatchery Production Training Course completed. 2008 Forum on Fisheries Science and Technology, 25-27 September 2008, Shanghai, China. Aquaculture success stories 'write shop'. Bookshelf: New publications for free download.

Report of the Beijing FAO/NACA/Government of China Expert Workshop on Guidelines for Aquaculture Certification

This workshop was the fifth in a series of consultations to prepare the international guidelines for aquaculture certification. The workshop had a strong emphasis on aquaculture products from China, and explored opportunities and challenges for implementing the certification guidelines in China towards improving overall aquatic production and trade of aquaculture products. The workshop considered that international guidelines for aquaculture certification would provide a useful basis for development of standards for certification of aquaculture products in China.

Myanmar aquaculture and inland fisheries

Fish and fish products are crucial in the nutrition and livelihoods of the Myanmar people. However, little information is available on their patterns of consumption, inter-regional differences, availability and types of fish consumed. This report is the outcome of two concurrent missions, one to coastal areas and one to inland areas. The report includes the findings of the missions as well as conclusions and recommendations in support of the long-term sustainability of fishery resources in Myanmar.

NACA Newsletter Volume XXIII, No. 2, April-June 2008

In this issue:

19th Governing Council meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal. OIE/NACA Regional Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health. Vietnam catfish BMP project kicks off. Planning meeting, Regional Project on Reservoir Fisheries Development and Management. NACA to document 'Aquaculture Success Stories'. 6th Regional Grouper Hatchery Training Course 5-25 May 2008. Establishing a Working Party on Aquaculture Statistics. Implementing the ASEAN Roadmap for Integration of Fisheries Sector. London Expert Workshop on Aquaculture Certification.

Report of the Workshop on Research Needs in Sustaining the Aquaculture Sector in Asia-Pacific to Year 2025 and Beyond

IDRC and NACA convened a workshop to identify the main research issues and needs to sustain Asian aquaculture into the first quarter of the 21st century, and also to bring them to the notice of relevant planners, managers and policy makers, and potential donors. The workshop was held in Rayong, Thailand from 4-7 June 2007. This report contains the issues papers drafted in preparation for the meeting and a summary of the discussions.