August 20, 2013
Charoen Pokphand to replace fishmeal with soy, grains in shrimp feed
Charoen Pokphand Foods plans to use protein from soy and grains in its shrimp feed in place offishmeal,hoping that the innovation will lead to a more sustainable fishing industry.
Robins McIntosh, a senior executive, said a test showed that when fishmeal was left out ofshrimp feed, shrimps still grew at the normal rate. Now, the new proteins are mixed in made-to-order shrimp feed.
He said the substitution would reduce illegal fishing. CPF's fishmeal suppliers were recently offered premiums of THB3/kilogramme (US$0.10) if they could prove that the raw material was collected through legal means. Only fishermen with licences and proper equipment are now selected to supply raw materials to its four aquaculture plants.
Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, president of the Thai Feed Mill Association, said tariffs could be raised against any products causing problems to the environment or endangering humans and animals. He noted that the private sector needed to work with government in reducing issues that could affect industries' sustainability as well as reducing their operating costs.
He is confident that with CPF leading the way, other feed-mill operators will comply with the same standards within a couple of years.