The first draft of the ASC’s Responsible Feed Standard will soon be ready for public consultation. The standard will set requirements that reflect industry best practice and develop the consensus needed to improve the environmental performance of key feed ingredients.

Work began on the feed standard in October 13, by a multi-stakeholder committee encompassing industry, scientists and conservation group representatives. Input has also been given by a working group of around 50 people, including experts in marine, plant and animal ingredients, as well as specialists in supply chain and feed mill operations. The breadth of experience of the group demonstrates that the sector is committed to a responsible future for fish feed production.

Feedback from the working groups has been incorporated into the first draft of the feed standard, which is currently being finalised by the steering committee. This will be put out for two public review rounds, to gather feedback.

Once the first draft is agreed, the audit manual that will guide auditors in applying the standard, will be developed. This will be field tested in parallel with the second public review round.

The ASC Responsible Feed Standard will go live in the first half of 2016 and will be available globally for anyone who wants to use it.

To find out more about the ASC Responsible Feed Standard development, or to provide feedback on the draft standard, please visit the ASC’s website www.asc-aqua.org.

More information will also be included in the Summer issue of the Aquafeed.com magazine, AQUAFEED: Advances in Processing & Formulation, due for publication the first week of July. (Subscribe for free from Aquafeed.com or read online in our archives after publication)