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Mauritius

Agricultural

Certification

Body Under the aegis of the

Ministry of Agro-Industry and

Food Security

Cevina Gooria Quality Manager

11 May 2017

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Contents of this presentation Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body (MACB)

Vision and mission

Strategic plan- Way forward

Agricultural Certification

Certification

Quality Management system

Certification process at MACB

Appeal procedure

Certification services

Getting certified with MACB

Current challenges of farmers

Pictures- Field Inspection, Certified produce on the market

Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body

Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360

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Mauritius Agricultural

Certification Body (MACB) The Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body is under

the aegis of the Ministry of Agro- Industry and Food Security.

MACB is a certification body set up in June 2016 for the certification of agricultural systems.

It provides third party certification services for sustainable agricultural production practices.

MACB perform audits on sustainable agricultural

production systems. It provides assurance that agricultural commodities are produced, packed, handled and stored according to specific agricultural standards.



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Vision and Mission

Vision

To be the leading Agricultural Certification body

in the region through certification services for

eco-friendly production practices that ensure

sustainable agriculture and consumers’

confidence for safer agricultural produce.

Mission

To provide a national, impartial and transparent

mechanism for certification of agricultural produce

and contributing to food safety and security.



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Strategic plan- Way forward

Government policy and plan

Vision and policy of the present government* to

promote sustainable agriculture and bio farming for:

- Long term environment protection

- Health benefits and

- Economic viability

*Source: Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for the Non-Sugar

sector

Switch Africa Green – Inclusive green economy



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Agricultural certification

The situation

Farmers – Food crop sectors + Livestock sector

MACB is a certification body with

1. Technically competent staff with relevant experience and sector expertise.

2. Required qualifications, training and ongoing competence monitoring of staff.

3. Independently and impartially verifies compliance to a standard.

4. Certification issued is recognised for the domestic market.



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Target

Most farmers in Mauritius adhere to at least Good

Agricultural Practices and get certified.

A % farmers would be producing organic products.

MACB is a government owned body offering

presently free of cost services for the time

being, to allow farmers from grass root level

be inclusive in the development process and

capture the market for quality agricultural

produce.



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Agricultural certification

Certification

Certification addresses the growing worldwide

demand for safe food. It is intended to assure quality,

prevent fraud and to promote sale of quality products

to consumers.

MACB as a certification body has a system in place complying with ISO 17065- Conformity assessment -

Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services.

Accreditation will allow MACB demonstrate an

independent confirmation of its competence,

independence and consistency.



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Quality Management System

ISO 17065

Key requirements of ISO 17065:

Certification body set up with as legal structure

Presence of a certification agreement

Use of certification marks and licenses

Non discriminatory practices

Confidentiality and impartiality.

Impartiality- Need for complete independence is

emphasised.



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Quality Management System

ISO 17065

Documented procedure with provisions for

surveillance audits

(ensuring that the certified product continues to meet

applicable requirements).

Procedures for certification

suspending

withdrawing certification

appeal and complaints.

MACB Staff have been trained by BioCert Pvt Ltd.



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Certification

process at

MACB


Email: [email protected]

Tel:2106503/2139360

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Appeal

Procedure


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MACB has a

formal, robust,

documented

processes to

receive, analyse

and take

independent

decisions in

relation to appeals

against it.

Certification services –

MauriGAP Part 1

Presently, MACB is issuing certification for MauriGAP

part I (This standard establishes basic requirements for sustainable crop production).

Part 1: The main requirements are Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for food safety, environmental issues, quality, traceability and workers safety, health and welfare.

Other certification schemes in the pipeline

MauriGAP Level II

MauriGAP Level III (Equivalent to GLOBALGAP)

Organic standard

Livestock standard

Honey standard



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MACB services are for the time being free of charge.

Standards are adapted to Mauritian context (e.g.

MauriGAP).

Various incentives are available under the Bio-farming Promotion Scheme (Farmer should take

commitment to implement MauriGAP Level 1 within 1 year)- (Incentives: 8 year tax holiday, exception of

VAT, financial assistance at concessionary interest

rates)

MACB is a competent public body with a quality management system offering third party certification.



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MACB logo can be a marketing advantage to food producers owing to its increasing high consumer recognition value.

MACB logo offer product differentiation and show credible evidence of compliance.

Certified products may be marketed at a premium price than those of the conventional agricultural produce.

May get a broader market share due to the limited supply in the market.

The MACB logo differentiates between the certified and non-certified agricultural produce. The unique certification number will allow identification in the MACB database and give assurance to consumers.

Adoption of a quality standard for agricultural production improve the efficiency of the farm management e.g. efficient use of inputs.



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Current challenges of farmers

Knowledge of the standard

Compliance to standard- Modifying methods etc.

Documentation- Quite extensive – farm history

Record keeping (available for inspection at any

time)



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In practice…Inspection of fields



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Certified produce on the market



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Contact information

Programme Manager


Tel: 210 6503/ 213 9360 Fax: 210 6541

Email: [email protected]

Website: Under construction (http://agriculture.govmu.org)

6th Floor, Sterling House, Lislet Geoffroy St, P. Louis

Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security

Port Louis



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http://agriculture.govmu.org/

Thank your for your attention



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