Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has reinforced its commitment to sustainable seafood production through its membership in SeaBOS, a global alliance of seafood industry leaders. At the 2023 SeaBOS Annual Conference in Busan, South Korea, CP Foods showcased its dedication to sharing knowledge and expertise in the responsible use of antimicrobials. This initiative aims to produce safe, residue-free seafood products.
Sujint Thammasart, DVM, chief operating officer – Aquaculture Business of CP Foods, emphasized the company's role as both a co-founder and a supporter of the SeaBOS taskforce on Responsible Antimicrobial Use. CP Foods is focused on transferring best practices in shrimp farming, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials. This endeavor supports organizations within the SeaBOS network in enhancing seafood safety standards and fostering environmental and social sustainability. This aligns with CP Foods' vision of becoming a sustainable “Kitchen of the World”.
CP Foods has implemented various technologies across its production processes. These include developing shrimp breeds with rapid growth, strong health, and high disease resistance, promoting cultivation in biosecure facilities, and using probiotics to boost shrimp immunity. The company has also enhanced water use efficiency and biofloc, sharing these advancements with farmers.
“The SeaBOS network is dedicated to minimizing antibiotic usage in aquaculture, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This effort aims to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ensuring a sustainable production system that balances the ecosystem and preserves natural food resources for future generations,” Thammasart stated.
Furthermore, CP Foods actively works with partners to elevate Thailand's seafood supply chain to international standards. This is achieved through the Task Force for the Development of the Thai Sustainable Fisheries Roundtable (TSFR), focusing on sustainable fishing resources in the Gulf of Thailand, setting certification standards for aquatic animal feed ingredients, and improving feed production processes for traceability and competitiveness in the Thai shrimp industry.
At the SeaBOS conference, the Keystone Project was approved, enabling member companies to collaboratively enhance sustainability in the ocean and aquaculture sectors. CP Foods and SeaBOS have initiated a pilot project for detecting antibiotic resistance genes in seafood (AMR Gene Testing). Additionally, SeaBOS launched its inaugural Impact Report, highlighting progress in addressing critical issues like illegal fishing, ecosystem impacts, antibiotic resistance, climate change, and plastics.
