Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture
The Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture (CoGP) is the entry point for membership of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation. The CoGP for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture is a major achievement for Scottish finfish farming, and clearly demonstrates the progress made in Scottish aquaculture over the last 10 years. It also represents the most comprehensive and open exercise of its kind ever undertaken by any food producing industry in the UK.
The CoGP has been developed by the Scottish Finfish Aquaculture Working Group. All interested stakeholder groups have been consulted including: the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Natural Heritage; Veterinary Medicines Directorate; Fisheries Research Services; WWF Scotland; Scottish Environment Link; RSPB Scotland; the Association for Salmon Fisheries Boards; Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland; Scottish Anglers National Association; Sea Trout Group; local authorities and the public.
The CoGP comprehensively sets out the standards that farmers must demonstrate. Compliance with the Code will be independently audited by UKAS-approved inspection services. A certification body accredited to UKAS has been appointed to ensure parity and consistency between inspections and audits, and also to facilitate the collation of audit reports.
A core principle of the Code is that it is an evolving document, designed to embrace new developments and new science so that it becomes established as a credible, robust and modern reflection of good aquaculture practice.
A Code of Good Practice Management Group will be a forum for discussion about new developments, international examples of aquaculture management, scientific findings and emerging issues. The Group will seek to manage the Code in a way that is most relevant to the Scottish industry and its stakeholders.
There are more than 300 main specific compliance points in the CoGP, plus additional sub-points in many cases. These cover all aspects of finfish good practice:
- Consumer reassurance - traceability, use of approved treatments.
- Fish Health - good husbandry, area management, harvesting operations.
- Protecting the environment - including sea lice management and containment standards.
- Welfare and husbandry - breeding and stocking density.
- Feed and feeding - feed formulation and sustainability of fish feed.
- The CoGP also contains detailed annexes giving further technical guidance on good practice, including the National Sea Lice Treatment Strategy, Integrated Sea Lice Management, Containment, and a Veterinary Health Plan.
To view the CoGP click here (2.1mb).