Antimicrobial use in animals raised for human consumption can lead to the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which can then be transmitted to humans via food and other transmission routes. Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge for public health and food systems broadly.

Best Aquaculture Practices standards have always required that BAP-certified producers not use proactively prohibited antibiotics, drugs or other chemical compounds for disease prevention and growth promotion. However, BAP has created another option for producers to demonstrate that they are on the forefront of this issue.

The BAP Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) Standard is a voluntary protocol that was created under the BAP Vanguard banner as a way for producers to demonstrate that they have gone above and beyond what’s required by other BAP standards. The standard was developed to provide assurance that farmed seafood has been produced without the use of any antibiotics, whether approved for use by regulatory bodies and/or allowed for the species being farmed.

In order to become certified to this standard, producers must prove that they have the necessary procedures and practices in place to verify that antibiotics were not used through all phases of the life cycle of the animal. Upon becoming certified to this standard, producers are permitted to use the “Raised Antibiotic Free” claim or equivalent claim in marketing or on the packaging, as permitted by national laws.

BAP is currently seeking certified producers to collaborate with on this exciting opportunity to demonstrate that they are leaders in this space. Farmers interested in getting involved with a pilot, contact steve.hart@aquaculturealliance.org.