A formal complaint submitted earlier this month, by Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) and Southern Shrimp Alliance, to the US Federal Trade Commission alleges false or deceptive marketing by the Best Aquaculture Practices certification.
You’ve likely seen the blue Best Aquaculture Practices label on farmed salmon and shrimp at the grocery store. BAP’s advertised claims include “Ethical”, “Safe”, “Responsible”, and “Sustainable”. It is these claims that are at the centre of the FTC complaint – and for good reason.
Earlier this year, following a three-year investigation, CAL published shocking evidence of forced labor, child labor, unsafe working conditions, and other human rights abuses associated with BAP-certified Indian shrimp production process facilities. CAL also found evidence of BAP-certified shrimp farms polluting groundwater and farm land; as well as the use of prohibited antibiotics contained in BAP-certified shrimp.
CAL and SSA’s complaint states that “despite the prevalence of these abuses, the BAP certification continues to be promoted as a trustworthy tool for consumers to ensure that they are buying environment- and worker-friendly farmed shrimp, in violation of the FTC Act”. They urge the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to investigate and take action to enjoin BAP and Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), the trade association that operates the certification scheme, from making deceptive claims.
This is not the first time that BAP has been called out for fairwashing and greenwashing. This year the Outlaw Ocean Project also published evidence of BAP-certified shrimp associated with human rights abuses and banned antibiotics based on whistleblower testimony and evidence. In May, SeaChoice and 75 groups submitted an open letter to GSA denouncing the standard as greenwash as well as daylighting environmental damage, illegal activity, and/or negative impacts to endangered species associated with BAP-certified salmon farms.
Misleading claims by certifications unfortunately is not limited to BAP. For example, fellow farmed seafood certification GLOBALGAP, was also included in a formal complaint submitted to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission for endorsing salmon farms that are contributing to an extinction event (note – BAP was also listed in the complaint). The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification has also been caught up in challenges over its claims; and a recent peer-reviewed study found human rights abuses are able to benefit from the use of the MSC label.
In our recent greenwashing submission to the Competition Bureau we highlighted the need for the Canadian Government to ensure all types of sustainability claims – including certifications – that are deemed misleading should be rigorously investigated.
Given the evidence, major grocers and companies cannot simply rely exclusively on certifications to shield them from the risk of greenwashing; or as a guarantee to consumers for human rights and/or environmental harm-free seafood. Instead, given the limitations of certifications, companies must shift to implementing due diligence throughout their supply chains. Similarly, governments should adopt legislation that makes environmental and human rights due diligence mandatory for companies. You can tell the Canadian Government to adopt a due diligence law here.
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