I am pleased with the positive feedback following the April edition of SSA Update.
This issue of SSA Update has incorporated many of your suggestions. It includes links to some of our numerous web based information and services that are specifically designed to help seafood producers, processors, exporters, importers, retailers, etc, to strengthen your business viability in today’s challenging and ever changing business environment. We will have more about SSA's web based resources in future issues of SSA Update.
We have also included a link to information on SSA members and how to apply to become a SSA member (the subject of several enquiries), updates on current SSA activities, and links to recent SSA submissions. See the left side index for links to the topics covered in this issue.
We sincerely appreciate your feedback which is vital to ensuring that SSA Update meets your needs. Please send your comments to ssa@seafoodservices.com.au.
Ted Loveday, SSA Managing Director
SSA Website: Free Globefish Publications
Australian seafood industry stakeholders can get free access to the latest Globefish publications from the Seafood Access Forum (SAF) Secure pages on the SSA website. SSA receives Globefish publications as Australia’s Member of Globefish. To download the Globefish publications you need to be approved to access our SAF Secure webpages then logon to the Seafood Trade & Market Access Database at:www.seafood.net.au/stma/logon.php. Recent Globefish publications uploaded to the website include:
Globefish European Price Report, January 2010
Globefish European Price Report, February 2010
Globefish European Price Report, March 2010
Globefish European Price Report, April 2010
Globefish Seafood Highlights: January 2010
Globefish Seafood Highlights: April 2010
Globefish Commodity Update – Shrimp: February 2010
SSA Website: Some Key Links
Following are some key links that are accessed from the SSA website home page. Look out for more links in future issues of SSA Update.
About SSA: services, business plan, Directors, members, (click here)
The report confirmed the findings of several previous government and industry reports - that seafood businesses are being burdened with unnecessary costs and allocation of time and resources because of multiple, duplicative food safety audits.
For example, seafood businesses supplying the export and domestic markets are subjected to:
(a) an AQIS audit to demonstrate compliance with the AQIS Export Orders, and
(b) a food safety audit by domestic regulators to demonstrate compliance with the domestic standards, and
(c) audits to demonstrate compliance with private food safety standards set by their seafood buyers (e.g., supermarkets, etc)
The crazy and unnecessary duplication occurs because 80% or more of the requirements of these different standards are identical. An Australian Standard for Food Safety will give seafood businesses the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with these regulatory and private standards with a single audit, hence reducing significant workload and costs.
SSA is accredited by Standards Australia to develop Australian Standards, and is currently preparing an application to commence the development of the Australian Standard for Food Safety. For information on SSA's standards development process click here.
SSA's constitution provides for seafood industry businesses with objectives that are compatible with the objectives of SSA, to apply to become a member. The SSA Board and Members have also adopted a membership policy aimed at encouraging eligible seafood industry entities to apply for SSA membership. For a membership information kit email ssa@seafoodservices.com.au.
SSA Mailing Lists
You received this SSA Update because you are listed on our SSA Mail mailing list. Over coming months SSA will be developing additional mailing lists which you can join to get information on specific topics. For example, we have just developed an Australian Seafood Brand mailing list for providing information specifically on that topic. As a new list is created, we will email our main mailing list inviting you to join. Keep an eye out for these emails.
SSA Network
Click here to view our recently released video clip about the SSA Network. Our SSA Network webpages also provide you with information on Network meeting dates, outcomes of Network meetings and much more click here ...
The Seafood Trade and Market Access Forum (SAF) is a rigorous and inclusive process for systematically and persistently tackling our trade and market access barriers and opportunities. It is an industry-driven process in which companies, associations and government agencies participate as equal partners on trade access.
Australian seafood industry stakeholders may apply to access the wealth of trade and market access information now available on the SAF Secure Website. Once approved, you will also have access to the Seafood Trade and market Access database which contains information on certification requirements, trade issues, detainments, residue standards, tariffs and more, for over twenty countries that are important export destinations for Australian seafood.
SSA is continually updating the Seafood Trade and Market Access Database to include new information as soon as it becomes available. To access the recent updates below, logon to the database then click the relevant link/s below. Recent updates include:
The SSA and Seafood Experience Australia (SEA) project with Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL) is resulting in an increased number of seafood businesses becoming licensed to brand and promote their seafood using the well established and trusted Australian Made, Australian Grown brand and logo.
The number of businesses becoming licensed is expected to further increase when the Australian Seafood representation, which will provide a tool for industry to promote its world leading environmental management practices, is available for use with the logo - watch this space.
For more information and an introductory overview of this initiative click here ..
International Seafood & Health Conference: Melbourne, November 2010
Don't miss this unique opportunity to participate in the International Seafood and Health Conference being held in Australia for the first time this November.
The conference and associated exhibition (hosted by SEA and SSA) will communicate the very latest medical research findings on the health aspects of seafood (including child nutrition, brain nutrition, nutrition, the role of fish and seafood in human cognitive development, diabetes, heart health), education issues in nutrition and public health, and importantly sustainability of fisheries resources and aquaculture. Put this important date in your diary now. More information on the conference website.
The independent mid-term review into the performance of SSA has been completed. The review report is currently with the FRDC Board. The review gave a positive report card on SSA’s performance. An overview will be included in a future SSA Update when the report is publicly available.
Australasian Aquaculture 2010 Conference
If you have not registered for Australasian Aquaculture 2010, now is the time to do so. The conference theme of ‘Keeping Pace With Change’ will provide an opportunity to come together and take stock on the position of the industry, to look ahead to what and where we want to be and to discuss various strategies for us to maximise our potential. Register here …
Click here for this comprehensive, very easy to use booklet is in line with current best practice include a range of storage and transportation topics relevant to fishers and buyers such as:
Seafood spoilage
Recommendations for uncooked fish, sashimi, frozen fish, crustaceans
Click here for this manual which provides an accurate method for measuring changes in chilled seafood throughout the whole chain from point of harvest through transport, auction, distribution and sale. QI provides highly reliable information used for control of quality, management of product, and enhances marketing opportunities for seafood.
Click here to obtain this workbook and DVD package which has been developed by Sydney Fish Market Ltd, FRDC and SSA to assist businesses in the post-harvest sector of the Australian seafood industry in meeting their obligations to provide a safe place of work.
Seafood Services Australia is a not for profit company supported by the Australian seafood industry and the Australian Government through funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Seafood Services Australia is a not for profit company supported by the Australian seafood industry and the Australian Government through funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
