The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Viet Nam Pangasius Association (VNPA). The goal of the MoU is to advance responsible aquaculture in the pangasius sector in Vietnam, as well as globally through the exchange of research. The GAA and VNPA agreed on the MoU after meeting in January.
“We are looking forward to working together with VNPA to advance responsible practices not only in the farming of Pangasius through VietGAP as a stepping stone to BAP certification, but also through the incorporation of responsible practices at the hatchery level and through responsible feed. We are also looking forward to assisting in the development of stronger market ties for BAP-certified pangasius,” said Carson Roper, international business development manager for GAA’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) division.
“VNPA welcomes this MoU as a positive step toward building a more robust Vietnamese pangasius production system,” said Dr. Vo Hung Dung, vice chairman and general secretary of VNPA.
As part of the MoU, VNPA will help identify and enroll processing plants, farms, feed mills and hatcheries in the BAP third-party certification program to increase the number of BAP-certified facilities in Vietnam. GAA will also aid VNPA in efforts to implement aquaculture practice standards in Vietnam regarding food safety, environment responsibility, social responsibility and animal welfare.
In return, GAA will identify market endorsers to promote responsibly produced farmed Vietnam pangasius products to retailers and foodservice operators worldwide. GAA also agreed to offer training and seminars to help Vietnamese producers to be able to apply VietGAP and the BAP standards to improve their aquaculture practices.
