Colombia receives the first group certification for good practices in the production of tilapia (BAP) in which the links of the production chain are integrated, from the seed laboratories, the farms and the processing plants.
The certification is granted by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the organization that for two years has been following the work of Colombian tilapia producers. The recognition was delivered on December 1 and highlights the effort of 31 Huila tilapia production units to improve their production practices.
The department of Huila concentrates 46% of the national continental production of fish and 74.11% of the share in exports.
In March 2014, the Colombian Federation of Aquaculturists (Fedeacua) initiated the Training Quality Assurance Program for small and medium producers. The project includes a technological and didactic package to facilitate the assimilation of national and international standards that producers must apply to remain in the market and improve competitiveness.
“This achievement reflects the work of producers to improve and reach the highest standards and highlight the potential of aquaculture in Colombia,” said Fedeacua Executive Director Sara Patricia Bonilla.
It is estimated that the costs that a producer must incur individually during the certification process are between a range of US $ 6,000 and US $ 10,000. The Fedecua program has facilitated producers’ access to certifications to lower costs and offer training in food safety, animal welfare, social development, environmental sustainability and traceability.

Source: Agronegocios