On July 22, 2016, at Van Phat Hotel, Can Tho city. As the part of project "Sustainable and Equitable Shrimp Production and Value Chain Development in Vietnam – SusV", International collaborating center for aquaculture and fisheries sustainability (ICAFIS) collaborated with WWF Vietnam and Bureau Veritas to organize the Workshops “sharing and consultancy on the ASC group certification for small-scale shrimp farmers in Vietnam".
The workshop attracted the full participatory of 45 intendants including: representatives of local partners: Agriculture and Rural Development Departments; The fisheries department; Agriculture - Extension centers; the shrimp processors and exporters; the certification bodies; Certified consultants; NGOs; Research Institute, Can Tho University and the representatives of the 10 cooperatives/ farmer groups who have applied BMP, Vietgap and ASC in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau province.
Mr. Tuong Phi Lai – ICAFIS was sharing at the workshop.
ASC standards is one of world's leading standards for sustainable and responsible seafood production. In recent years, the ASC standard has been widely applied in shrimp, catfish and tilapia large-scale farms in Vietnam.
With the aim to support small_scale aquaculture farmers to move forward sustainable and responsible production and have better access to international market. The Stewardship Council Aquaculture (ASC) has developed ASC standard since 2014 and The ASC standard for farmer groups also has been published for comments, consultancy by the end of July, 31th 2016 before releasing the final version.
Sharing at the workshop by Mr. Ngo Cong Luan - My Xuyen 14/10 Cooperative Director, Soc Trang.
The objective of the workshop is to introduce ASC group certification standards (draft version) to partners and small-scale shrimp farmers in Vietnam as well as analyze the advantages and difficulties in the application of the ASC group certification standards for small-scale shrimp farmers in Vietnam. The workshop is also a good opportunities for all value chain shrimp actors especially for small-scale farmers to feedback or consult on the ASC group certification standard.
Mr, Li Vi Cuong - group leader assess ASC standards , Bureau Veritas Certification Organization presented the ASC groups standards.
At the workshop, Mr. Li Vi Cuong - the ASC standard auditor from Bureau Veritas – a Certification Organization presented the ASC groups certification requirements. His presentation clarified the requirements for group management bodies, the detailed requirements for group members as well as pointed out the method of sampling and evaluation in some specific cases. At the end of the presentation, Mr.Huynh Quoc Tinh (WWF Vietnam) also analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of applying the standard in Vietnam in the near future, Mr. Tinh also facilitated the workshop attendants to discuss, consult for the planned topics.
Sharing at the workshop by Mr.Huynh Quoc Thinh - WWF Vietnam.
On the discussion section, the attendants have openly raised a lot questions for speakers, experts around the requirements of the new standard and how to apply them. They also shared the coming challenges, difficulties when farmers apply the standard in near future. Based on their own experiences they also provided constructive feedbacks, comments and consultancy for the Stewardship Council Aquaculture (ASC) to develop the farmer group ASC standard for more enhancive, inclusive and suitable for small-scale shrimp farmers in Vietnam. All their feedbacks, comments, consultancy have been documented by the workshop organizers and it will be submitted to Stewardship Council Aquaculture soon.
Le Quan - ICAFIS
