Rationale

Aquaculture, as part of the broader seafood sector, is highly vulnerable to food fraud, especially product mislabelling and species substitution. In addition to this, there are traceability challenges related to the origin of the raw materials used and the complexity of the supply chain associated with aquaculture feed production. 

The ASC Feed Steering Committee appreciates that by the time the Feed standard is released, it is most unlikely that there are sufficient volumes of sustainably certified raw materials to produce ASC certified feed. Until then and as the first step, feed mills can use one or both of the two ASC accepted models and ASC feed may come in two forms – according to the mass balance production model^[146] (containing both eligible^[147] and non-eligible ingredients^[148]) or according to the segregation production model^[149] (containing only eligible ingredients). However, feed mills are encouraged to source increasingly more eligible ingredients for ASC feed. 

To be able to produce feed under the segregation production model, feed mills are required to identify and segregate eligible ingredients from non-eligible ingredients throughout all stages of production.

To produce feed under the mass balance production model, feed mills are required to have an accounting system in place to ensure volumes of incoming eligible ingredients cover the volumes of outgoing feed produced under the mass balance production model.

Scope Indicators 3.1.1 – 3.1.2 – Every UoC

Scope Indicators 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 – Only UoCs using the Segregation production model

Scope Indicator 3.2.1 – 3.2.4 – Only UoCs using the Mass balance production model

Rationale

Compliance with the sustainability indicators in this Standard requires an accurate classification of the ingredients coming into the mill. Not all ingredients which can be sourced by the UoC also count towards the mass balance eligible volume. The indicators in this criterion set the requirements for this calculation.

Scope Indicator 3.2.5 – Only UoCs using the Segregation production model

Scope Indicator 3.3.1 – Only UoCs using the Mass balance production model

Rationale

To encourage uptake of the ASC Feed Standard, the UoC may only sell a portion of its output as ASC compliant feed. This initial version of the Standard permits manufacturers to choose between two models: the ASC Segregation production model and the ASC Mass balance production model. The indicators in this criterion set the requirements for labelling (or Identification) that can be made on final product depending on the model used. 

Note: Both models can be in use at the UoC at any time.

Scope Indicator 3.3.2 – Only UoCs using the Segregation production model

Rationale

Nitrogen and phosphorus are released to waters surrounding fish pens as a result of uneaten feeds and metabolic by-products. If not managed properly, this can lead to significant changes to pelagic and benthic ecosystems. Feed companies can assist their customers to better understand the potential impacts of their feeds on the local environment by providing them with an estimate of the nutrient emissions based on nutrient content of their feeds. While the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in feed is permitted, it must be disclosed. Transgenic plants are commonly used in aquaculture and animal feeds throughout the world, yet some consumers and retailers want to be able to identify food products, including farmed fish, that are genetically modified or that have been fed genetically modified ingredients. Documentation on the use of GMOs must be provided to customers. The requirement ensures transparency around any transgenic material in the feed (ingredients >0.9%) in order to support informed choices by retailers and consumers.