GLOBALG.A.P Fruits and vegetables

GlobalG.A.P. is a globally recognised standard that defines a set of requirements for the agri-food industry.

GlobalG.A.P. covers the entire production chain, from sowing or planting crops in the ground, through cultivation, harvesting and handling of the final product (e.g. storage, packaging, conditioning). It regulates the areas of activity on the farm concerning:

• health safety of products (fruit and vegetables)
• health and safety of personnel
• environment and biodiversity
• meeting legislative requirements

by:

• application of good agricultural practices (GAP)
• implementation of the principles of Integrated Plant Production
• implementation of the principles of the HACCP food safety assurance system
• application of activity recording and product traceability system

GlobalG.A.P. primary production is for fruit and vegetable producers:

• Option 1 - includes individual farms
• Option 2 - includes producer groups and the GRASP module.

Individual farms and producer groups can be holders of the certificate. The GlobalG.A.P. certificate is valid for 1 year. In order to renew the certificate, the producer should submit an application to the body every year.

The GLOBALG.A.P. standard for fruit and vegetables is regulated by the following normative documents:

• GLOBALG.A.P. - General provisions, containing instructions on how to apply for, obtain and maintain the certificate, and the related rights and obligations of the producer and the certification body;
• GLOBALG.A.P. - Control Points and Conformity Criteria - guidelines on the requirements to be fulfilled by the producer applying for a certificate and the conformity of which is verified during an audit. All production areas which are subject to inspection are described in detail. They concern, for example, the way in which internal records are kept, the starting material for production, the history of the field and the management of individual plots, methods of soil cultivation, the use of fertilisers, irrigation, plant protection, harvesting, waste management, the health, safety and welfare of workers and the maintenance of complaint and claim forms.
• GLOBALG.A.P. - Checklist - contains control points, it is a tool for self-control and conformity assessment.

For more information and requirements of the standard and documentation, please visit the website of the GLOBALG.A.P. system administrator: http://www.globalgap.org/