Assured Produce is likely to move to a more risk-based approach in the future in response to a changing environment, CMi ceo Mike Thomas has forecast.
After 11 years of operation for Assured Produce, Thomas, pictured, told freshinfo: “We might see modifications and some self-auditing, self-evaluation and a reduction in the frequency of inspections based on risk. For example, if firms have been assured for a long time and are deemed low risk, inspection could become less frequent. It is still a little way off, but at the moment we can see that what assurance is doing is avoiding the interference of government.
“As long as Assured Produce carries on the way it is - rigorous but fair - and keeps pace with the requirements of government, consumers and quangos, I see no reason why it should not have an assured future.”
Thomas believes Assured Produce could have a greater role to play as the popularity of alternative outlets to the supermarkets grow. “I think seeing the Red Tractor logo at farmers’ markets, for example, is a natural and essential development,” said Thomas. “The public must be protected and have the expectation that what they purchase is safe and all right for them to eat.”
Far from rising costs and problems with global food supply posing a threat to Assured Produce, they make it all the more relevant, Thomas said. “People will be even more concerned that what they are eating is farm assured. I do not think the industry will take advantage of any shortage to lower standards. There will be increasing pressure on those countries outside Europe to improve their standards going forward. In North America it has been a low priority, but the salmonella in spinach tragedy has changed that.”
Thomas also pointed out that the fact consumers are beginning to question 12-month availability of produce and the carbon footprint of what is eaten in the UK will bring an influence to bear on Assured Produce. “We do have a global standard in GlobalGAP and that is what retailers expect to be met,” said Thomas. “There are different cultural approaches, for example in China, and it may take time for suppliers to get to the required standards, but they will get there.”
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