5.10.8 Nutrition (Aquaculture)

General Principles

 Organic aquaculture production provides a good quality diet balanced according to the nutritional needs of the organism. Feed is only offered to the organisms in a way that allows natural feeding behaviour, with minimum loss of feed to the environment.

5.10.8.1 Aquaculture feeds shall generally contain 100% certified organic components or wild feed resources. When supplying food collected from the wild, the "Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries" (FAO, 1995) shall be followed.

 When certified organic components or wild foods are not available in adequate quantity or quality, AsureQuality may allow feed of conventional origin up to a maximum of 5% (by dry weight). Permission from AsureQuality must be sought.

 Operators may use non-organic aquatic animal protein and oil sources provided they:
 - Are harvested from independently verified sustainable sources;
 - Are verified to have contamination levels below limits established by AsureQuality; and
 - Do not constitute 100% of the diet.

  Operators may feed a limited percentage of non-organic feed under specific conditions for a limited time in the following cases:
- Organic feed is of inadequate quantity or quality:
- Organic aquaculture is in early stages of development

At least 50% of the diet should be organic ingredients by 2020.

5.10.8.2 Feed rations should be designed so that plant /or animal sources, or both, supply most of the nutritional needs of the organism.

 The use of mineral supplements if they are applied in their natural composition is permitted.

5.10.8.3 The following products shall not be included in or added to the feed or in any other  way be given to the organisms:

- material from the same species/genus/family as the one being fed
- feedstuffs subjected to solvent (e.g. hexane) extraction
- pure amino acids
- urea
- synthetic growth promoters and stimulants
- synthetic appetisers
- synthetic antioxidants and preservatives
- artificial colouring agents
- genetically engineered organisms or products thereof.
 
5.10.8.4 Vitamins, trace elements and supplements used shall be from natural origin when available.

 Allowable additives for colouring effects include yeast and algal-based products that have approval.

 The use of substances from synthesised or unnatural sources will only occur under conditions established by the standard-setting organization.

5.10.8.5 The following feed preservatives may be used:

- bacteria, fungi and enzymes
- by-products from the food industry (e.g. molasses)
- plant based products.
- Salt if appropriate
 
 Synthetic chemical feed preservatives may be permitted in response to severe weather conditions. The standard-setting organization shall establish conditions for their use.