CP Foods encourages fishmeal suppliers to stick with international standards

The European Commission’s recent decision to remove Thailand from the “yellow card” status has made all relevant sectors to strictly adhere to traceability. CP Foods is also gearing up to encourage its fishmeal suppliers to take up IFFO RS standards to ensure sustainable business.
It is important to note that all the fishmeal used in CP’s Thailand operations is certified by IFFO RS and comes from the by-product of fish-processing plants.
Dr Sujint Thammasart, chief operating officer of CP’s aquaculture business, said the company will double the number of certified suppliers this year. This plan will not only help improve its manufacturing line, but also ensure that raw materials come from legal sources. 
Sujint added that the IFFO RS standard requires that all raw material, particularly fish, comes from legal sources with responsible fishing practices that are in line with the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), certified Good Manufacturing Practices and traceability through the supply chain.
“Constructive progress in the Gulf of Thailand can be a guideline for improvement in the region, helping us to prevent illegal fishing, promote sustainability and protect endangered aquatic species,” he pointed out.
Good practices in Thailand will also be expanded to CP’s operations in other countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and India. 
Last year, CP Foods (India) worked with selected fishery societies, major seafood companies and the government to draft India’s first-ever action plan under FIP to preserve India’s sardines stocks in the sub-continent’s west coast. This action was recognised and registered by FisheryProgress.org – an internationally accepted database on the progress in global fishery improvement projects.
Other than making further progress in the IFFO RS programme, CP will continue promoting sustainable fishing and human rights through initiatives such as the Thai Sustainable Fisheries Roundtable, Fishermen’s Life Enhancement Centre and Labour Voices by LPN.
“The company will not compromise in the fight against illegal fishing to ensure traceability, sustainability and an IUU-free supply chain to our stakeholders,” Sujint said.