Current Position in Thailand What CP is doing to tackle ethical issues in the Thai seafood supply chain Progress update for Seafood Ethics Common Language Group Wednesday 14 th January 2015 CP Foods UK 2015
Over the next 10 minutes Context, ethical stance and background What we ve done & what we're doing right now? How, who and deliverables? Brief highlights
Context for our all our work ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE OF NATURE Need all three SOCIAL COMMUNITY & SOCIETY ECONOMIC BUILDING THE BUSINESS CASE & FUNDING
Our ethical stance We believe the vast majority of those working in the fishing industry are hardworking and honest fishermen making a traditional living in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Whilst we are determined to solve the problems of forced labour, we believe it is vital to also keep alive an honest profession that provides jobs for the millions of people in Thailand that depend on fishing for their livelihood. We recognise that suspending by-catch purchases for fishmeal is not in itself enough to eradicate such practices from the fishing fleets off Thailand in the long-term, and we are therefore committed to working in partnership with the Thai Government, seafood associations, other leading manufacturers and international NGOs to ensure an end to forced labour. Despite the fact that the Guardian report has been instrumental in moving this up the agenda for both government and industry, we recognise that wholesale improvement for our industry will be a lengthy and challenging process. It is a project to which we are absolutely committed.
CP & SUSTAINABLE FISHMEAL 2 Key Issues ENVIRONMENTAL Key Issue Overfishing in Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea depleted fish stocks harming marine ecosystem SOCIAL Key Issue Allegations of human trafficking & Illegal forced labour in offshore fishing vessels fishing International waters
Sustainable Fishmeal understanding the issue Two sources of fish product are used by suppliers to produce fishmeal #1By-product #2 By-catch Trimmings from tuna canning Trimmings from Surimi Small multi-species fish unsaleable for human consumption Mainly from off-shore vessels selling to transhipment boats
Oversight of by-product supply chain established and we are making good progress #1By-product Trimmings from tuna canning CP leading the way with IFFO RS Improvers Programme Trimmings from Surimi CP working with industry to drive certification via MCPD s
But current oversight of by-catch supply chain is complex #2 By-catch Small multi-species fish unsaleable for human consumption Mainly from off-shore vessels selling to transhipment boats
What we ve done and what we re doing right now ENVIRONMENTAL Key Issue Overfishing in Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea SOCIAL Key Issue Allegations of human trafficking / human rights abuses / debt bondage in offshore fishing vessels fishing in International waters #1 10 Point Plan #2 IFFO RS Improvers scheme #3 DoF Non-IUU Fishmeal Traceability scheme with CP Premium & Labour Audit #4 TSFR Roundtable #5 The Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force
#3 DoF Non-IUU Fishmeal Traceability scheme with CP Premium & Labour Audit 1. All CP fishmeal suppliers must identify full names and addresses of all fishing vessels 2. All fish meal suppliers and fishing vessels must receive an audit by officers of Ministry of Labour 3. All fishing vessels have to report boat s traffic (both arrival and departure time from the port, name and number of crew
#4 TSFR Roundtable
CP is one of the key drivers behind the TSFR 1. We have helped bring together all eight seafood industry associations in Thailand to form the Thai Sustainable Fishmeal Roundtable (TSFR) 2. TSFR is engaging directly with the Thai Government to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for Industry 3. TSFR is now working with NGO s to develop and implement Fishery Improvement Projects for Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea
TSFR is here
#5 The Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force The Task Force is an industry alliance to ensure Thailand s seafood supply chain is free from illegal & forced labour through accountability, verification and transparency
Established in July 2014, it includes leading retailers, manufacturers, government and NGO s Just some of the organisations involved
Its roles, responsibilities and objectives are very clear #1 Implement Track & Trace Systems with International verification #2 Drive Thai Port Codes of Conduct with international recognition #3 Drive Fishery Improvement Projects Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea
Inaugural Task Force update and progress report due be issued at the end of March 2015