# Presentation: 604614

## Certification Programs

- Industry Feedback, Needs and General Information Sharing

- Presentation at USAEDC Conference
- November 20 , 2003

## Why a Certification Breakout Session?	

- Governments traditionally have set standards for the trade of horticultural products.
- Increasingly industry is setting its own certification standards
- In response to consumer demands about food origin and food safety
- To provide one uniform certification standard, versus current numerous individual retailer requirements

## Why a Certification Breakout Session?	

- To facilitate communication of new certification requirements to the industry
- To provide information to the industry on resources offered by member organizations, State DOA
- To access what role, if any, FAS/AMS should play in this process
- Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) funding
- AMS negotiation on behalf of the industry regarding certain certification requirements

## Panel Members

- Krista Dickson, Marketing Specialist, HTP
- Claire McClafferty, International Specialist, Produce Marketing Association
- Donna Garren, Vice President Scientific and Technical Affairs, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
- Jill Hollingsworth, Vice President Food Safety, Food Marketing Institute
- Patrick Mayer, International Trade Manager, Oregon State Department of Agriculture
- Eric Forman, Associate Deputy Administrator Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS

## EUREPGAP Basics

- EUREPGAP is a pre-farm gate good agricultural practices certification program established by European Retailers in 1997.
- EUREPGAP is _**NOT**_** **a legal requirement.
- Officially there are 22 retail members of EUREP.
-  January 1, 2004 deadline for certification of fresh fruits and vegetables.

**Notes:**
EUREPGAP started in 1997 as an initiative of retailers belonging to the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP). The aim was to agree on standards and procedures for development of good agricultural practice with regard to Fresh fruits and vegetables (GAP). 

EUREPGAP is NOT a legal requirement, but may be required by individual retailers as part of their contract specifications.

Not all European retailers are members of EUREP. Officially there are 22 retail members of Eurep.  Membership also includes: suppliers/growers and associate members from the input and service side of agriculture. Decisions are made by the EUREPGAP Steering Committee which is chaired by an independent Chairperson. The standard documents and certification system is approved by a Technical and Standards Committee. Both committees have 50% retailer and 50% grower representation. 

January 1, 2004 deadline for certification of fresh fruits and vegetables was announced at their September 2003 conference, however not all retailers have the same requirements or deadlines. You will have to check with individual retailers on their implementation schedule.  In addition, some retailers may require additional certifications, or may accept alternative certifications.

## EUREPGAP Basics (cont..)

- Key elements of the EUREPGAP protocal:
- Food Safety and Traceability
- Environment Protection
- Worker Welfare
- Drawbacks:
- Certain requirements relating to worker welfare are controversial.
- Environment provisions prohibit GMO products.

**Notes:**
Food safety is a global issue, it doesn’t respect international boundaries. A lot of the members are global players in the retail industry and cannot afford to operate double standards for produce sourced from different parts of the world, hence the need for a common internationally recognised standard. EUREPGAP is based on HACCP principles, and although its scope is limited to pre-farm gate, codes of practice which deal with the interface areas of packaging on the farm and transport from the farm to the processor ensure that we can provide a whole of chain assurance. 

Major corporations and multinational supply bases increasingly have to impress their investors. If a particular business is sourcing product in a way that is perhaps degrading the environment or doesn’t pay due respect to occupational health and safety issues then there is increased risk and less likelihood of attracting investors. 

EUREPGAP is currently the only certification which requires worker welfare certification.  Industry has voiced feedback that these requirements are vague, and difficult to document.

In folders distributed after the session you will find the complete certification requirements, a lsit of fruits and vegetables currently on the list for certification, and participating retail partners.  You may access contact information and further info via their website, www.eurep.org