GLOBALG.A.P. is a globally recognized set of farm standards dedicated to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Through certification, producers demonstrate their adherence to GAP principles for food safety and sustainability, and thus commit to continuous improvement.

Detailed Explanation:

Origin and Purpose:

GLOBALG.A.P. originally started as EUREPG.A.P. in 1997 as an initiative by retailers belonging to the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP) to harmonize their standards and procedures and develop an independent certification system for Good Agricultural Practice.

What It Covers:

GLOBALG.A.P. covers the entire agricultural production process of the certified product from before the plant is in the ground (pre-harvest), such as ensuring healthy soil management and clean water, to the non-harvest products, handling post-harvest products, and all farming activities.

Key Areas of Focus:

The standard focuses on this critical areas: Food Safety and Traceability, Environment (including biodiversity), Workers’ Health, Safety and Welfare, and Animal Welfare (for livestock).

Certification Process:

Farmers and agricultural producers must undergo a third-party audit to confirm that their practices meet the GLOBALG.A.P. standards. The certification is often required by retailers and food service companies in global supply chains to ensure the integrity of the food and non-food agricultural products they source.

Benefits for Producers:

Certification can open up new market opportunities, improve risk management, promote safety, enable compliance with legislative and private standards, and boost consumer confidence in product quality and safety.

Types of Certifications:

GLOBALG.A.P. offers different certifications based on the type and scope of agriculture, which include Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), Livestock, Aquaculture, and several other specific standards tailored to various sectors of agricultural production.