Driscoll on pace to have all its growers obtain EurepGap certification by end of this year
Driscoll on pace to have all its growers obtain EurepGap certification by end of this year
In an initiative that dates back to 2003, Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates expects to have all its growers meet EurepGap certification by the end of 2005, regardless of the region in which they operate.
The company contracts with independent berry growers worldwide. More than 1,400 independent third-party audits of Driscoll growers have been conducted in 2005, said David Wright, a spokesman for the company. Driscoll audits all its growers annually and also conducts spot-check audits. The annual audits include ranches, harvest crews, coolers, irrigation water microbial assays and pre-harvest residual pesticide assays.
The company requires that all its growers submit a pesticide report every week before the harvest and conduct random pesticide residue and harvest crew checks.
EurepGap is seen as broader in scope than U.S. GAPs, requiring more extensive documentation that includes a focus on worker welfare and environmental issues in addition to food-safety concerns. The focus of U.S. GAPs is "all around the product," with a focus on food safety and microbials, Mr. Wright said.
"EurepGap fits Driscoll's attitude toward the environment and worker welfare, Mr. Wright said. In most countries in the European Union, EurepGap certification is required. Driscoll's efforts toward certification will open European markets to the company, he said. The first of Driscoll's EurepGap-certified product began shipping this year. In addition to opening European markets to its products, the step toward certification has benefits stateside.
"Retailers understand EurepGap; food safety is a plus in retail, Mr. Wright said. "We think [certification] has a positive effect.
The company contracts with independent berry growers worldwide. More than 1,400 independent third-party audits of Driscoll growers have been conducted in 2005, said David Wright, a spokesman for the company. Driscoll audits all its growers annually and also conducts spot-check audits. The annual audits include ranches, harvest crews, coolers, irrigation water microbial assays and pre-harvest residual pesticide assays.
The company requires that all its growers submit a pesticide report every week before the harvest and conduct random pesticide residue and harvest crew checks.
EurepGap is seen as broader in scope than U.S. GAPs, requiring more extensive documentation that includes a focus on worker welfare and environmental issues in addition to food-safety concerns. The focus of U.S. GAPs is "all around the product," with a focus on food safety and microbials, Mr. Wright said.
"EurepGap fits Driscoll's attitude toward the environment and worker welfare, Mr. Wright said. In most countries in the European Union, EurepGap certification is required. Driscoll's efforts toward certification will open European markets to the company, he said. The first of Driscoll's EurepGap-certified product began shipping this year. In addition to opening European markets to its products, the step toward certification has benefits stateside.
"Retailers understand EurepGap; food safety is a plus in retail, Mr. Wright said. "We think [certification] has a positive effect.
