The 9th annual GlobalGAP conference got underway in Cologne, Germany, this morning, with organisers saying considerable progress would be reported to more than 300 delegates from 25 countries at the three-day gathering.
The GlobalGAP board of industry leaders were due to reveal how support for the internationally accepted framework for good agricultural practice is continuing to grow world-wide. Chairman Nigel Garbutt said: "GlobalGAP now represents over 90,000 certified producers and producer groups in 85 countries.”
"What is particularly significant is the achievements of small scale producers who realise that it is vital they adopt the required levels of discipline in record keeping and food safety in order to maximise their potential for export. We will be showcasing some of the best practices in small holder certification worldwide and tools which can help them achieve compliance.”
To illustrate Garbutt’s point, representatives from Kenya, Mexico, Japan and Chile amongst others will be present to explain how they have established their own independent monitoring systems with the assistance of GlobalGAP.
And in the wider European context created through an enlarged EU, member states such as Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary are now also moving ahead from the time when they first reported progress to the conference in Prague held two years ago.
GlobalGAP secretary Dr Kristian Moeller added: "A further key element which it is believed will have a major impact is the interest being expressed in the United States. Following several food safety scares, the Food and Drug Administration is encouraging companies to be more pro-active in establishing a greater level of traceability as part of their food discipline."
During 2008, obtained its first US based retail member, the East-Coast multiple Wegmans. "There is more and more interest from large marketing organisations and even total representative industries from across the Atlantic," said Moeller.
"Increasingly they are accepting that GLOBALGAP is a soundly based international concept which like its members and products has no boundaries when it comes to food safety."
