Over the past few months, several buyers, processors and farmers have been contacting the ICAFIS to ask for advice on how to implement the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standards for pangasius. One of the most often asked questions has been where to source "ASC compliant" feed.

In fact, although the ASC does not have standards for feed manufacturers, compliance to the ASC standards for pangasius farming requires the use of feed with certain characteristics.

For this reason, ICAFIS entered in discussion with several feed manufacturers including Skretting/Nutreco. On the 22nd March 2011, Laurent Genet, Nutreco's Senior Representative for Southeast Asia and Vietnam Country Manager, confirmed that, from the 10th April 2011, Tomboy JSC / Skretting Vietnam will be in a position to supply a full range of pangasius feed, called CAT, already officially registered in Vietnam, and fully "ASC compliant". This represent is a major step forward towards achieving compliance to the ASC standards for pangasius! It is expected that up to 10,000 metric tons will be produced by the end of 2011.