IFFO RS announced on 5 November that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sociedad Nacional de Pesquería (SNP) that will complement both organizations.
The memorandum was signed during the IFFO Annual Conference, held in Shanghai, China. The new agreement will have the two organizations “working more closely together,” according to a release by IFFO RS.
“IFFO RS wants to recognize the significance of Peru as the global leader of responsibly sourced marine ingredients,” Libby Woodhatch, executive chair of IFFO RS, said in a release. “The industry’s input is essential to ensure that IFFO RS schemes are robust and up-to-date, and that the standard can grow further. We also need to work collectively to protect the reputation of the industry.”
Peru’s SNP and IFFO RS’ objectives are “complementary,” according to the release. SNP works to help develop the country’s fishing and aquaculture industries, through fighting illegal fishing and “promoting sustainability, innovation, science, and environmental protection,” the SNP’s website said.
“Through this MoU, IFFO RS will also benefit from local knowledge and expertise to address the growing demand from the value chain to show social responsibility in marine ingredients at a vessel level,” IFFO RS stated in a release. “SNP will support IFFO RS with trial audits against relevant standards that will be updated or further developed.”
The Peruvian industry, SNP President Cayetana Aljovin said, has improved tremendously and will be able to assist IFFO RS in developing its programs.
“The Peruvian industry is able to provide local knowledge and insight to assist IFFO RS ensuring the program remains relevant and accessible,” she said. “The industry’s sustainability has increased tremendously over the last decade and SNP is proud that 100 percent of all marine ingredients producing members of SNP are IFFO RS compliant.”
Photo courtesy of IFFO RS
