Round Table on Eco-Labelling and Certification in the Fisheries Sector
22-23 April 2009
The Hague, The Netherlands
Proceedings
Over the past decade eco-labels and related certification have become afeature of international trade and marketing of fish products. Eco-labels are a market-based mechanism designed to provide incentives for more sustainable fisheries management by encouraging buyers, from large scale retailers to individual consumers, to only purchase fish and seafood certified as having come from a sustainable fishery. Commitments to sustainable fish sourcing have become increasingly common in the procurement strategies and corporate social responsibility strategies of large-scale retailers and commercial brand owners.
Eco-labelling and certification schemes are typically designed and managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs or private businesses). They cover a range of product claims from benefits for fish safety and quality, to improved legality, transparency and sustainability. However, they raise a number of issues and challenges? Are they really making a difference for fisheries sustainability? Which schemes are the most effective? How are the costs and benefits of eco-labels distributed along the value chain? How do they interface with the role of Public authorities in ensuring sustainable fisheries management and the protection of natural resources? The Round Table on Eco-labelling and certification in the fisheries sector offered an opportunity for the range of stakeholders to debate these issues and to identify areas requiring further research or action.
The Round Table
The Round Table on Eco-labelling and certification in the fisheries sector was jointly organized by the OECD Committee for fisheries and the FAO fisheries and aquaculture department. At the invitation of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Round Table was held in the Hague, The Netherlands, on 22-23 April 2009. The Round Table brought together representatives from the fishing industry (producers, processors, buyers, retailers) NGOs, eco-labelling schemes, certification bodies, academia, governments and relevant international organizations.
Day One of the Round Table was chaired by Alfons Schmid, consultant. It was designed to give participants practical information on recent development in the branding and marketing of fish and fish products, and included presentations from a range of eco- labelling schemes. Day Two of the Round Table was chaired by john Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute USA. It focused on the influence of eco-labels on sustainable fisheries management, their impacts on international fish trade and marketing, and the various roles of the public and private sectors in relation to eco-labels and certification.
The Round Table forms part of the programme of work of the OECD Committee for Fisheries, specifically contributing to its project on Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification. Eco-labels have been on the agenda of the FAO Committee for Fisheries for over a decade. The Round Table will inform ongoing work at the FAO on responsible fisheries and on private standards in capture fisheries and aquaculture.
This document provides the proceedings of the round Table. It consists of:
- The opening address by Minister Gerda Verburg, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands.
- A Chairs’ report of the Round Table that summarises the presentations and captures the essence of the ensuing discussion.
- The Round Table Programme.
- Speakers biographies.
- A list of participants
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