Aqua feed news round-up: China opens up to Norwegian fishmeal, Biomin scholarships and Alltech alliance in North America
Some 27 Norwegian companies have been granted access to export fishmeal, fish oil and krill products to China, following several years of exclusion.
The re-opening of the Chinese market to such Norwegian marine ingredients is part of the normalization of the trade between China and Norway, Kyrre Dale, industry manager, Norwegian Seafood Federation (Sjømat Norge) told us.
“China is a large and important market, and for Norwegian manufacturers and exporters, there has long been a desire to gain access to this market,” said Dale.
The development could not come at a better time, considering that the seafood industry and, of course, society as a whole, are undergoing a period of uncertainty and dramatic change, triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak, he added.
In the summer of 2019, Chinese authorities conducted inspections of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's procedures and rules. Several Norwegian production companies were also visited and inspected, and data was obtained from all companies who were registered as potential exporters of fishmeal, fish oil and krill products from Norway to China, he explained.
The annual production of fishmeal and fish oil in Norway is around 170,000 tons, said Dale.
He noted that the raw material, whole fish or trimmings, used for fishmeal and fish oil production in Norway is either MSC or IFFO-RS certified.
Biomin awards two UK students an aquaculture sustainability scholarship
Austria headquartered, Biomin, has recently announced a stipend for two individuals pursuing the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture program in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth in the UK, under the company's Aquaculture Sustainability Scholarship Award.
“Working closely with leading institutions on research projects and encouraging students to enter the field are a part of how we are able to maintain our competitive advantage when it comes to research and development,” said Dr Benedict Standen, product manager, Biomin.
“In the light of consumer trends, disease mitigation and the reduction of fishmeal in aquatic nutrition, sustainability is becoming a key topic among aquafeed and aquaculture producers globally,” said Plinio Barbarino, head of global product management, gut performance, Biomin.
Through better management of water, feed and medicines, sustainable aquaculture can meet the growing demand for seafood while minimizing environmental and social impacts, he added.
Partnership looks to maximize productivity and efficiency for North America fish farmers
Alltech has just announced a partnership with US aquafeed nutrition company, Corey Nutrition, to provide producers across North America with a new range of feed products.
The alliance is about giving those aquaculture producers the opportunity to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency from their feed, said Alex Tsappis, aquaculture business manager, Alltech.
“This partnership with local partner Corey Nutrition will deliver high-quality fish feed, using Alltech Coppens formulations to help farmers to achieve the best possible results.”
