| Country | Bangladesh |
| Beneficiaries | 600,000 members of Bangladesh Shrimp & Fish Foundation who are independent shrimp farmers |
| Project Description | The Bangladesh Shrimp & Fish Foundation (BSFF) is a non-profit private research and advocacy organization. In the past, Bangladeshi shrimp exporters have faced rejection of their merchandise in EU countries on the grounds of non compliance with EU food safety standards. The Bangladeshi shrimp industry, in the context of the application of the U.S. Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP), faces criticism in respect of its compliance with international labor law standards. Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation represents Bangladesh shrimp industry comprising, among others, 600,000 shrimp farmers and more than 100 processors who primarily export to the EU and the USA, on legal advice aimed at removing barriers to market access relating to food safety, environment and other social issues including labour rights. http://www.shrimpfoundation.org/ |
| Scope of Legal Assistance | Sidley assisted BSFF in its efforts to ensure that the Bangladeshi shrimp industry complies both with international labor standards and EU and US food safety standards. In respect of the latter a workshop was held in Dhaka in January 2013 and April 2014 to train shrimp producers and exporters on such regulations. As regards labor standards, Sidley provided assistance in developing and implementing trilateral cooperation between BSFF, the Shrimp Exporters’ Association and the International Solidarity Center to improve compliance with labor standards in the shrimp industry |
