Overwhelming evidence of the international stature that EurepGAP is continuing to achieve manifested itself at the 6th Global Conference which took place in Paris over three days between October 17-19, last week.

The organisation which celebrates its 10th birthday in 2006 attracted a record number of  over 470 delegates from 46 countries. These included not just producers, distributors, and grower organisations but support from governments which are backing  EurepGAP's systems leading to national legislation which will enhance the production of safe fresh food.

These included delegations from China, Japan, Brazil and Mexico who praised the organisation for its widening role in establishing a transparent common benchmark.

The criteria drawn up by EurepGAP members from all sectors of the industries involved are based on solid practical knowledge developed by steering and technical committees.

It now embraces arable crops, livestock, fisheries, flowers and coffee, which have responded  to the example and success achieved by the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. All schemes are  independently audited and focussed on ensuring sustainable industries.

Independent chairman Nigel Garbutt stressed: "Our aim continues to be to provide a good agricultural practice (GAP)  standard that  is evenly and cost effectively applied to all products wherever they are sourced.

Responsible agriculture is not something  seeking to simply gain a competitive advantage, it is for the long term benefit of both industries and consumers."

With increasing world trade Garbutt believes that EurepGAP's global role will become increasingly important, avoiding the chaos which would become evident if retailers operated their own very different protocols and audit systems.

One of the key themes of the conference was to establish greater levels of global harmonisation - the theme of the conference -  at a time when trading procedures and the legislation which controls them becomes more complex.

"We have shown through group certification that the Protocols can also be applied to small scale farmers in developing countries. A big bonus here is that forming groups actually helps put the mechanisms in place to support this sector on a long-term basis.

"My experience working with producers around the world is that they do not
ask for favouritism - but they do want a level playing field."

"We must not duplicate but co-operate."
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Contact: Kristian Moeller

Full presentations are available from Food Plus soon.