GlobalGAP offers LocalGAP for emerging local markets
GlobalGAP offers LocalGAP for emerging local markets
Consumers worldwide are demanding quality foods that are produced safely and sustainably. Retailers around the world are rising to meet the challenge by demanding certification from their producers, but they face a tricky situation when working with emerging producers that may not be able to achieve GlobalGAP certification — and producers without certification for their products have difficulties accessing local and regional markets.
A solution is LocalGAP, an innovative product that is the stepping stone toward certification. It is a cost-effective solution for emerging markets and helps producers gain gradual recognition by providing an entry level to GlobalGAP certification. It also helps retailers gain access to quality foods, support their local and regional producers and promote Good Agricultural Practice.
LocalGAP offers producers and buyers two options: The LocalGAP standard is a complete package solution that can be used right away; The LocalGAP program is a customized solution that gives GlobalGAP members the opportunity to initiate their own program.
"Our cost-effective, ready-to-use solution offers a stepwise approach that covers the minimum requirements for food safety and hygiene," the company said in a press release. "Ideal for emerging growers, this solution provides a sub-set of GlobalGAP control points, a LocalGAP checklist and LocalGAP general rules."
Producers who have successfully implemented the LocalGAP standard receive a letter of conformance and are assigned a LocalGAP number or LGN. This unique 13-digit number identifies producers in the GlobalGAP database and makes it easier for retailers to trace producers and monitor their audit results.
Buyers interested in sourcing from LocalGAP-assessed producers can download the LocalGAP standard documents from its website and pass them on to their producers for implementation. To monitor their LocalGAP producers, they simply sign an agreement for observer status to gain access to the GlobalGAP database.
More information is available at www.globalgap.org.
