Quality Certification Services (QCS) has launched its Aquaponics Certification program to address food safety requirements applicable to aquaponic operations.
Crops and fish/shellfish are covered under this new program developed by a team of crops and aquaculture experts. Aquaponic farmers of any size will be able to apply for QCS Aquaponics Certification. The growing number of aquaponic producers worldwide will also have the option to request organic or other certifications of their crops and fish/shellfish with QCS therefore streamlining their certification needs and demonstrating responsible production practices to their customers.
QCS is looking forward to receiving feedback from industry and other aquaponics stakeholders and enthusiasts.
“QCS has long recognized the importance of symbiotic and integrated multi-trophic production systems to improve sustainability and food security. The intent of this new certification program is to better serve aquaponics producers in meeting good production practices, food safety, and sustainable consumer demands that will benefit us all in a practical and effective manner,” said QCS Food Safety Program Manager Mario Velasco.
“The program was specifically developed to be both robust and affordable so that it is accessible to small scale producers,” said QCS COO Ramkrishnan Balasubramanian. “QCS has 15 years of experience in this developing sector and we are proud to continue to support its growth.”
Based in Gainesville, QCS offers the following certification options including Certified Organic, Certified Transitional, Certified Hormone/Antibiotic Free, Organic Aquaculture, GLOBALG.A.P. (several scopes), specific trade practices and Food Justice Certification, which will allow for consumers to choose to support a more just agricultural system.
QCS meets the needs of operations regardless of type, location, or size on the ever-expanding worldwide market. They are committed to meeting the unique needs of any business in a timely manner. QCS is the certification program of Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG), a nonprofit organization that began certifying organic growers in 1989 and received its USDA accreditation in 2001.
QCS is a USDA, ISO Guide 65 and ANSI accredited certification body that offers a wide array of certification options for farming of crops, livestock, aquaculture, animal feed manufacturing, packing, handling and processing, wild harvest operations and chain of custody. QCS certifies more than 850 clients in 37 states and 11 countries, meeting the needs of operations regardless of type, location or size on the ever-expanding worldwide market. Florida Organic Growers, the parent organization of QCS, has been involved in promoting organic and food safety for more than 25 years.
