It did so through a streamlined multi-site certification process. The three facilities manufacture feed for Atlantic salmon, Coho salmon, and trout.
“With this achievement, we strengthen our leadership in feed production and reaffirm our commitment to responsible practices and ecosystem care,” commented Gabriela Heim, BioMar Chile’s commercial manager.
BioMar recently attained ASC certification for its Guayaquil facility in Ecuador, which specializes in shrimp feed production. This certification was awarded in October.
October also marked a milestone in Europe, as BioMar’s feed production site in Grangemouth, Scotland, became the first UK facility and only the second in Europe to achieve ASC feed certification. This accreditation now enables salmon and freshwater trout farms in the region to access certified, responsibly produced feed.
The ASC, a non-profit organization, oversees a rigorous certification and labeling program aimed at promoting responsible aquaculture practices. The ASC Feed Standard, the first comprehensive certification of its kind, assesses all feed ingredients and their impacts across the production cycle, verified by independent auditors. It establishes benchmarks for responsible feed production in aquaculture, including requirements for environmental management, sustainable sourcing of raw materials, and adherence to social and labor rights standards.
Responsible aquafeed trend
Across the industry, ASC certification is gaining momentum. In August, Norwegian feed producer Polarfeed’s Øksfjord facility became the first European site to earn ASC certification, and in March, Thai Union Feedmill’s Mahachai plant in Samut Sakhon province became the first certified facility in Asia.
These certifications reflect a global shift towards sustainable, responsible practices in aquaculture feed production, said Chris Ninnes, ASC CEO who remarked that the Thai Union mill was also the first certified site producing feed for shrimp. “With Asia being a particular global hotspot for shrimp farming, ensuring ASC compliant feed is accessible in the region is a significant step forward in promoting and enabling more responsible shrimp farming practices.”
