A new sustainability standards programme has been launched in New Zealand to help promote and maximise the value of aquaculture products in the country.
Supported by funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Sustainable Farming Fund, the A+ Environmental Sustainability Management Framework will deliver a set of strong, measurable and progressive Environmental Codes of Practice (ECOPs) sustainability standards that will be independently audited, verified and widely recognised.
“This will help our products like salmon, mussels and oysters to stand out in the global market by showing the showing the highest standards of environmental sustainability,” said Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.
“As a nation we are never going to be the biggest producer of seafood in the world, but we can be the best. This new standard will help inform consumers who are increasingly interested in the backstory and environmental footprint of premium products,” he added.
The MPI Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) has contributed NZ$256,000 towards the A+ programme with co-funding and in-kind contribution of NZ$189,000 from Aquaculture New Zealand via a growers’ levy.
“This is a great example of industry and government working in partnership to further enhance the value of already high quality New Zealand products,” Mr Guy concluded.
