Global GAP is working on a new Global GAP protocol, which is planned for 2015. During the first regional Global GAP conference this week at Veiling Hoogstraten in Belgium, the next step in the field of food safety and sustainability were discussed.
In 2015, a new Global GAP will be introduced. The organization appeals to the entire chain and through local meetings seeks to collect industry input.
Guy Callebaut addresses the public in Veiling Hoogstraten
"Sustainability is evolving and now holds a slightly different meaning than before," said Guy Callebaut, president of Global GAP, about regular adjustments to the guidelines. Nowadays there is attention to the social aspects: dealing with staff and the employer (GRASP). Also, the sustainable use of water resources and microbiology in cultivation is in the spotlight. According to Callebaut, Dutch and Belgian growers needn’t worry: those who abide by Dutch laws also meet GRASP.
Some of the highlights of the meeting include:
- Important in the new Global GAP remains the one-stop audit: one control moment for both Global GAP and add-ons, the additional guidelines that a company can meet.
- According to Kristian Moeller, secretary of Global GAP, the organisation wants to expand its offer of add-ons, weeding out the free riders.
- The introduction of a program that allows the NVWA to only judge Global GAP itself to make sure that all participants in Global GAP meet the legal requirements. Consequently the NVWA doesn’t need to visit the companies themselves.
- Leon Mol of Ahold spoke about the importance of sustainability in the entire chain.
- Jan Zegwaard of GreenCo praised the international nature of Global Gap: "I do not speak Spanish, but Global GAP is understood everywhere. If the same standard in fertilization is applied, you can focus on the customer."
Keynote speakers. Kristian Moeller, Ann de Craene, Guy Callebaut, Bert Urlings and Ad Klaassen
Keynote speakers. Above left: Jan Zegwaard, next to him Xavier Degrieck. Below Marc Soumillion and Leon Mol