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Good Agricultural Practices - EUREPGAP

Inge Neessen

16 May 2005

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The Program

• Background and overview

• Good Agricultural Practice-Verification

• Who is working with GAP?

• Current situation

• Future development

• Verification-process options

• Requirements

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1.Traceability2.Record keeping 3.Varieties and rootstocks4.Site history and management

5.Soil and substrate management6.Fertiliser use

GAP

EUREPGAP

7. Irrigation/fertigation8. Crop protection9. Harvesting10. Produce handling11. Waste and pollution man.12. Worker health and safety 13. Environmental issues14. Complaint form

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Reasons for EUREPGAP?

• Consumers Conscience increases:– Food safety– Environment– Welfare of the employess

• Increasing demand for process control– Product liability– Due diligence

• Unregulated growth of quality-systems

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Reasons for EUREPGAP

Forces for Change:

• Food scares (BSE, dioxin, residues)

• Concerns on GMO

• Consumer Evironmental Awareness

• Pressure / Lobby groups

• Media

• Environmental / Food Safety Legislation

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What do retailers want from producers?

• Transparency!!

• Insight in production process

• Traceability

• Product liability

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Relation between systems

Grower Packer Exporter Importer Wholesaler Supermarket

EUREP-

GAP

HACCPBRC

IFSHACCP

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EUREP

• Euro-Retailer Working Group on Fresh Produce

• Started in 1997

• Represents leading food retailers, (now 32)

• Launch of EUREPGAP in 1999 in Paris

• 2001: Foodplus = global body(owner of document and secretariat)

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What is EUREPGAP?

Good Agricultural Practice:• Framework with minimum standards for

horticultural products

• EUREPGAP is an accredited set of normative documents for international certification.

• The documents are developed by representatives from all stages of the food chain world-wide.

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• Development since 2000 Livestock (cattle, lamb, pig, Implementation beginning 2003 poultry, dairy)

• Development since 2001 Feed and Combinable Crops Implementation beginning 2003

Scope and history of

• Development since 1997 Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Implementation since 2001

Farm Production “Pre-Farm Gate”

NOT Packing/Processing /Transport

• Development since 2001 Flowers and Ornamentals Implementation beginning 2003

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EUREP retail members

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Supplier Members

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Supplier members

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Achievements Fruit and Vegetables• More than 12.000 growers, more than 350.000

ha certified (more than 60 countries)

• 32 Retail members individually committed

• Over 120 supplier members

• 80 Certification Bodies approved

• 5 schemes approved by benchmarking

• EurepGAP database

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EUREPGAP-guidelines

– 3 levels: major must, minor must, recommendation

– Based on national legislation

– Food safety, sustainability, worker welfare and environment

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Who is working with GAP?

• Primary Producers

• Retailers

• Grower-associations

• Traders-organisations

• Trade (import/export)

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Who is who?

• EUREPGAP Members• EUREPGAP Council

– 30 members, wide representation: NGO’s, Consumer organisations, suppliers, retailers, FAO, Certifiers, accreditors

• EUREPGAP Board– 3 retailers, 3 suppliers, independent chairperson

• Technical Standards Committees– 8 members – 3 retail, 3 suppliers, 1 “science”, 1

certifier * Fruit and Vegetables * IFA

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Who does what to who?

• EUREPGAP (Food Plus):

Licenses use of EUREPGAP Standard and EUREPGAP name

• Certification Body:

Certifies growers against EUREPGAP Standard

• Growers

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Who does what to who?

EUREPGAPLicenses use of EUREPGAP Standard and

EUREPGAP nameCertification Body

– Accreditation body (e.g. RvA)– Approves competency of certification Body (to

EN45001 or ISO Guide 65)

Certifies growers against EUREPGAP Standard

Growers

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EUREPGAP licence / certificate options

a. Option 1: Individual grower/farmer

b. Option 2: Groups

c. Option 3: National

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Option 1 – Individual grower applying for EUREPGAP

• Certified by approved Certification Body

- Certificate issue- Certificate suspension and withdrawel

• Annual inspection- 1 announced per annum (minumum)- 10% unannounced random audits or

inspection

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Option 1 – Individual grower applying for EUREPGAP

• Individual inspector and auditor qualification

• EUREPGAP Farm inspection report format

• Reporting in English

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Option 2 – Produce Marketing Organisation (PMO) or Grower Organisation applying for EUREPGAP

• Approved Certification Body: complies with EN 45011/ISO Guide 65

• PMO has a written control and procedures manual

• Registered farms under the same system

• All farms are audited either internally or by external auditor

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Option 2 – Produce Marketing Organisation (PMO) or Grower Organisation applying for EUREPGAP

• Internal audit includes all control points of EUREPGAP each year

• Certification Body verification– Annual System check– Shadow audit of internal inspectors

(Square Root of number)– Audit of Growers – IAF guidance– 10% unannounced audits

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Option 3 – National or company scheme

• Benchmarking with EUREPGAP– Scheme not owned by the CB– Scheme owned by the CB, benchmarking

by third CB– CB accredited to EN 45011 or ISO Guide

65

• Written control and procedures manual• All registered farms under the same

system

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Option 3 – National or company scheme

• CB verification– Annual Scheme audits of each farm– Sample size according to IAF guidance of

number of registered farms by the CB• Including 10% unannounced inspections

– PMO or GO management system checked as in option 2

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Recording/documents

• Pesticide and fertilizer use• List of pesticides and MRL’s of country

where product wil be exported to• Complaints• Annually self audit of EUREPGAP list• Map of facilities and greenhouse• Signed hygiene instructions• Emergency procedures

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Pictograms

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Documentation of suppliers• Propagation material (plant health certificate)• GMO-free declaration of seeds• Seed quality• Knowledge of advisers on crop protection

and fertilizers• Water quality analysis • Clean produce containers• Substrates (recycling and product

information)

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EUREPGAP chapters• 1. Traceability• 2. Record keeping and

internal self-inspection• 3. Varieties and rootstocks• 4. Site history and

site management• 5. Soil and substrate

management• 6. Fertiliser use

• 7. Irrigation/fertigation• 8. Crop protection• 9. Harvesting• 10. Produce handling• 11. Waste and pollution

management, recycling and re-use • 12. Worker health, safety and

welfare• 13. Environmental issues• 14. Complaint form

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1. Traceability

• Products must be traceable back to the farm (receipts, labels with name and codes etc)

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Tracking & Tracing

Downstream Tracing

Growers

Trader

Distribution Centre

Retailer

Foodprocessor

Upstream Tracing

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Case - discussion

• What is the current status traceability at producers at this moment?

• How would you handle this in Bulgaria?

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2. Record keeping and internal audit

• Minimum 2 years

• Annual self inspection

• Registation of crop protection, fertiliser, cleaning, maintenance etc

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Case - discussion

• How is the current situation of registration at farmer/grower level? So what is registered already now?

• How would you handle this in Bulgaria?

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3. Varietes and Rootstock

1. Choice of variety and Rootstock• Effective crop husbandry in relation to

‘mother crops’• Specific requirements of customers

2. Seed quality• Seed certification

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3. Varieties and Rootstock

3. Pest and disease Resistance/Tolerance

• Susceptibility to pests and diseases

4. Seed treatments and dressing• Justification of treatments

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3. Varieties and Rootstock

5. Nursery stock• Approved health certificate• Health quality control system in-house

propagation• Crop protection registration when in-

house propagation

6. Genetically Modified Organisms• Follow regulations• Inform customers

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Case - discussion

• Are there enough reliable suppliers?

• Is there enough choice in varieties and high quality?

• How is Quality Control arranged on nursery stock and seeds (plant health)?

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4. Site History and Site management

1. Site History• Record system per production unit• Visual identification system• Risk assessment new location• Management plan by risk assessement

2. Rotations• Proven rotation systems

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Case - discussion

• Do farmers/growers consider the soil history and perform risk assessment on it?

• Are the labs accredited and employed with qualified employees?

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5. Soil and substrate management

1. Soil mapping

2. Cultivation• Improve and maintain soil structure

3. Soil erosion

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5. Soil and substrate management

4. Soil fumigation• Exploit alternatives

5. Substrates• Inert: recycling• Non-inert: demonstrate suitability

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Case - discussion

• Are there good laboratory’s that can perform analysis on soil (elements)?

• How is the soil structure?

• Are substrates used (rockwool/cocos/peat etc)?

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6. Fertiliser usage1. Advice on quantity and type of

fertiliser• Demonstrate competence and

knowledge of technical responsible person

2. Records of application• Location, date, type of fertiliser, amount,

method of use, operator name• Up to date stock inventory (every 3

months)

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6. Fertiliser usage3. Application machinery

• Suitable for land in question

4. Fertiliser storage• Not with crop protection chemicals• Not with nursery stock or fresh produce• No risk of contamination of water

sources• Stored in a covered clean an dry area

5. Organic manure• No raw untreated human sewage sludge• Analysis recommended

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Case - discussion

• And are consultancy companies available on good advise on use of fertilisers?

• Is the application machinery in good state of repair?

• Are storage facilities appropriate?

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7. Irrigation

1. Predicting requirement2. Method

• Most efficient and commercially practical

3. Quality of water• No sewage water

4. Supply of irrigation water• Sustainable sources• Risk analyses of used water

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Case - discussion

• What water sources are used?

• Are the water sources safe (no residues of heavy metals, microbiological organism or other contamination)?

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8. Crop Protection1. Basic elements

• IPM, minimum environmental impact

2. Choice of chemicals• Selective products• Officially registered and not banned in EU• Responsible person must have certificate or

training

3. Records of application• Cropname and variety, location, date, product

trade name and active ingredient(s), operator name, justification, technical authorisation, quantity , machinery used and pre-harvest interval

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8. Crop Protection4. Pre-harvest interval

• Single harvested products• Continuously harvested products

5. Spray equipment• Suitable• When mixing, follow label instructions• Local regulations + minimum

requirements• Product inventory documented and

readily available

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8. Crop Protection

6. Disposal of surplus spray mix• Prevent with proper calculation• Surplus on untreated part fallow land

7. Residue analysis• Evidence must be available• Frequency based on risk analysis• Farmer must be aware of the MRL

restrictions in the country(ies) where the EUREPGAP registered product(s) is intended to be traded

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8. Crop Protection

8. Storage• Local regulations + minimum

requirements

9. Empty regulations + minimum requirements

• NO re-use

10.Obsolete pesticides• Appropriate (waste contractor)• Enverionmentally sound

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Case - discussion

• Is integrated pest management know?• Are there good consultants in this field?• Is the label information observed (quantities,

response time, method of application etc)?• What kind of application machinery is used?• Are there appropriate protective clothing available

and used?• Is the crop protection storage in accordance with the

requirements?• Are there obligatory courses on spraying (license)?• Are there accredited labs for residu-analysis?

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9. Harvesting1. Hygiene

• Hygiene risk analysis been performed for the harvest and pre-farm gate transport process and implemented?

• Basic hygiene instructions• Clean handwash facilities and toilet

2. Packaging• Avoid contamination• Clean

3. Produce packed at point of harvest

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Case - discussion

• Are there basic hygiene instructions?

• Are there appropriate facilities for toilet and hand washing?

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10. Produce handling

1. Hygiene• Hygiene risk analysis been performed for

the produce handling process and implemented

• Post-harvest washing

2. Washing• Potable water

3. Post-harvest treatments

4. On farm facility for produce

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Case - discussion

• Are there a lot of producers who pack there products?

• How is grading done?

• Are there quality regulations for fresh produce (class, size, weight, damage etc)?

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Hygiene rules for staff

• Clear away material and product waste immediately.• Cover wounds.• Put on clean work clothing before starting work.• Ensure good personal hygiene.• Do not smoke, eat or drink in areas where the product is

present.• Wear as little jewellery as possible.• Keep nails short and unvarnished or wear gloves.• Wear long hair tied back.• Wash hands with soap after each toilet visit and before

starting work.• Notify a contagious disease to your supervisor.• People with infections, open wounds or skin diseases on

head, neck, arms or hands must not come into contact with the fruits and vegetables.

Take joint responsibility for a healthy and safe product

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11. Waste and pollution management recycling

and re-use1. Identification

• All possible waste products• All possible sources of pollution

2. Action plan• How to avoid and reduce waste and

pollution

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Case - discussion

• How is collection of waste arranged?

• Are there any recycling systems?

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12. Worker health, safety and welfare

1. Risk assessments

2. Training• Using agro chemicals• Dangerous or complex equipment

3. Facilities and equipment• First aid boxes on permanent sites and

fieldwork

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12. Worker health, safety and welfare

4. Pesticide handling• Annual health checks recommended

5. Protective clothing/equipment

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12. Worker health, safety and welfare

6. Welfare• Comply with local regulations• Consult customers on specific company

policies• Living quarters are habitable and have

basic services and facilities

7. Visitors safety

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12. Worker health, safety and welfare

Hygiene rules for visitors:• Check in with the farmer. Phone:

…………………………• Wear clean clothing or an overcoat.• Do not smoke.• Do not eat or drink in production rooms.• Avoid contact with the product.• No pet animals allowed.

• Thank you for your co-operation

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Case - discussion

• Are the facilities and working circumstances on the farm safe?

• Is attention paid to the occupational health while working with chemicals or machinery?

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13. Environmental issues

1. Impact of farming on the environment

2. Wildlife and conservation policy• Enhancement of bio-diversity• Regional or individual activity

3. Unproductive sites• Conversion to conservation areas

(consideration)

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Case - discussion

• Is there enough understandig on the environmental impact of the farming and growing techiques?

• Is the environmental impact minimised to an acceptabel level?

• Is there enough education on these aspects?

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14. Complaint Form

1. Complaint document available

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Benefits of EUREPGAP for growers

• The European standard for Fruit & Vegetables

• Market driven

• EUREPGAP: license to deliver for many EU supermarkets

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Certification

• Valid for 1 year

• By accredited Certification Body (Foodplus website)

• Timing: product or plants available (harvest interval can be checked)

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Implications for growers

• Recording and documentation• EUREPGAP: will be license to deliver

for many EU supermarkets• Growers do not get higher price for the

products!!• Costs of compliance: 500 euro/year

certification costs, excluding implementation costs

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Experiences with EUREPGAP

Bottlenecks: • Surplus value?• Interpretation• Paperwork• To meet 100% of major musts all the time• Difficult topics like

– residues – hygiene

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Experience Q-Point with implementing EUREPGAP

• Implementation of EurepGap > 1.450 producers (In NL > 3000 producers);

• Auditing/certification of EurepGap > 300 (for ECAS BV);• Technical support to Albert Heijn for development of EurepGap

standards;• Benchmarking EurepGap standards with national standards as

Florimark, MPS, IKB, VVA etc;• Training EurepGap for producers, processors, retailers (The

Netherlands, Albania, Estonia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia);

• Training EurepGap for auditors (Macedonia, Albania);• International conferences on EurepGap;• Member of Dutch EurepGap platform;• Associate member of EurepGap;

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Conclusions

• Certification of growers ongoing trend (consumer’s concerns)

• Supermarkets require EUREPGAP per 1-1-2004

• EUREPGAP expected to be the most important and widely supported food safety scheme in Europe

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Internet adresses

• www.eurep.org

• www.foodplus.org (EUREPGAP)

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More InformationQ-Point B.V.

PO Box 38

2670 AA Naaldwijk, The Netherlands

Phone: 0031-174-282888

Fax: 0031-317-491441

info@q-point-bv.nlInge Neessen

Phone: 0031-620496860

Email: i.neessen@q-point-bv.nl