Oyster farm Huitres Favier Earl has become the first in France to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.
The French oyster producer received a cluster certification for its La Tremblade and Paimpol units.
The company was awarded the certificate in recognition of its responsible environmental and social practices from Control Union Peru, an independent accredited certifier, after an audit certified that the farm meets the ASC bivalve standards.
We are glad to receive ASC certification. The quality of the natural environment has a direct impact on our business. The oysters are our sentinels. They inform us of the good conditions of the marine environment, said Hitres Favier Earl’s director, Philippe Favier.
The consumption of seafood is high in France and according to a recent survey by Global Scan, French consumers are ready to change their consumption habits in favour of sustainable alternatives, ASC’s commercial director, Esther Luiten, noted.
“This trend is creating increasing demand for certified responsible aquaculture and French retailers are becoming more and more enthusiastic about the ASC certification,” Luiten added.
Huitres Favier Earl sells between 9 and 10 million oysters each year. Its oysters are supplied to the French retailer Carrefour and exported to many different countries in Europe, including Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy.