Saida Islam Sejuti
Safe food is becoming increasingly important in terms of human health and economic aspects. Safe food production is urgent because of the competition in the global export market, as well protecting people from food bound illness. Indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemicals, presence of heavy metals, infectious of microorganisms etc. From the early stages of production to the various stages of food chain made food unsafe. For this reason, considering the availability of safe food, it is very important to follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) from the beginning of production, harvest and post-harvest processing, such as collection from field, packaging, transportation etc. to ensure safe food. GAP ensure producing safe and quality food as well as to play vital role to the environmental and social development. Moreover, GAP encourage the optimum use of agricultural inputs such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, water etc. and environment friendly/environmental management which is one of the significant modules among 5 for GAP influenced vegetable and food production.
Global GAP is a private certification body which develops voluntary standards for certification of production processes in agriculture. These standards are based on a set of farm standards that are internationally recognized as being devoted to practicing Good Agricultural Practices. The GAP is the overall agricultural activities, following which safe and quality food and non-food products become available, environment, economy and social security are well integrated. In GAP such processes are practiced in the farms in ways that guarantee safe and quality food at production, collection and post-harvest level. This is a set of rules and regulations and technological recommendations that are applied at various levels of overall agricultural production, processing and transportation that improve human health protection, environmental conservation, improve product quality and working environment. Moreover, the global GAP standard has five modules as well–
1. General requirements; 2. Food safety; 3. Produce quality; 4. Environmental management; and 5. Workers’ health, safety and welfare. Global GAP certification is built on the work and expert contributions of many stakeholders from different sectors of the industry. They take part in the standard development process in one of the various c committees set up to facilitate participation and involvement. Technical committees (TC) are formed by retailers and producers, and their main focus is to participate in the revision and maintenance of existing standards. Focus groups (FG) are set up on an ad-hoc basis to work on specific topics as approved by the Global GAP Board. Other committees include-
Certification Body Committee (CBC) and Integrity Surveillance Committee (ISC). The Global GAP standard addresses consumer concerns about food safety. It demonstrates that food is produced in a way that reduces the negative environmental impacts of this activity by reducing the use of chemical and using environmental protection. It also promotes the safety and good health of workers involved and provides animal welfare.
Global GAP certification provides assurance that food has been grown using recognized levels of quality and safety. It also ensures that it has been produced sustainably in a way that respects the health, the environment and the welfare and safety of workers and animals.
The Global GAP focus on 5 core features to achieve its goal- Certification, Capacity Building, Integrity Program, Partnership & Benchmarking and Efficiency. While the Certification System is made up of interlinking mechanisms that ensure the proper development, implementation, improvement, integrity, transparency and harmonization of certificates; Global GAP operates through a systematic process to establish and maintain standards for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) on a global scale. Here’s an overview of how Global GAP. works: –
Standard Development: Global GAP develops and updates standards for various agricultural sectors, including crops, livestock, and aquaculture. These standards are developed collaboratively with input from stakeholders in the agricultural industry, including producers, retailers, and certification bodies.
Certification Bodies: Independent certification bodies are accredited by Global GAP. These bodies are responsible for assessing farms and agricultural operations to determine their compliance with standards.
Certification Process: The certification process involves an on-site audit where the farm’s practices are evaluated against the specific Global GAP standards relevant to their production type.
Audit and Compliance: During the audit, the certification body assesses various aspects, including food safety, environmental sustainability, worker health and safety, and more.
Continuous Improvement: Certified farms are encouraged to regularly review and enhance their practices to meet evolving standards and address new challenges.
Market Access: Global GAP certification provides assurance to consumers and facilitates market access. Monitoring and Compliance: Certified farms are subject to ongoing monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance with Global GAP standards. This includes periodic audits by certification bodies.
Global Recognition: Global GAP is recognized internationally, allowing for a harmonized approach to agricultural certification across different regions and markets.
Capacity Building: Global GAP engages in capacity-building activities to support farmers, producers, and other stakeholders in understanding and implementing the standards.
Consumer Awareness: The Global GAP label on products helps consumers make informed choices, knowing that the products meet certain standards related to safety, quality, and sustainability.
More importantly, Global GAP addresses environmental sustainability as one of its key pillars. However, Environmental Management Module (EMM) of Global GAP deals with good agricultural practices to be implemented in order to minimize harmful effects of production and production practices on the environment. For environmental sustainability, GAP emphasizes on-
Resource Management: Global GAP encourages efficient use of resources such as water, energy, and fertilizers to minimize environmental impact.
Soil and Water Conservation: Guidelines are often in place to prevent soil erosion and promote soil health. Practices that protect water quality and minimize pollution are also emphasized.
Fertilizers and soil additives use: Applied according to the recommendation of the National Soil Service Centre or any other competent source and also considering the crop and soil type to avoid nutrient run-off or leaching.
Biodiversity Conservation: The standards may include provisions for protecting and promoting biodiversity on farms, including the preservation of natural habitats. Chemical Management: Global GAP addresses the responsible use of agrochemicals, advocating for proper handling, application, and record-keeping to minimize environmental harm.
Waste Management: The standards may include provisions for proper disposal of agricultural waste, promoting recycling and minimizing the environmental impact of farm operations.
Erosion Control: Measures to prevent soil erosion, such as contour plowing or the use of cover crops, may be recommended to maintain the integrity of the land.
Air/Noise: If an offensive odor, or smoke, dust or noise is generated from production practices, management actions taken to minimize the impact on neighboring property and surrounding areas.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Some certification processes under Global GAP involve an assessment of the overall environmental impact of agricultural operations.
Sustainable Practices: Producers are encouraged to adopt sustainable farming practices that reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture.
In conclusion, it can be assumed that by integrating environmental considerations into its standards, Global GAP aims to ensure that agricultural production is not only economically viable but also environmentally responsible and sustainable. the implementation of Global GAP holds the promise of fostering robust environmental sustainability practices on a global scale.
By setting rigorous standards for agricultural production, Global GAP not only ensures the delivery of safe and high-quality products but also contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and natural resources. As we look to the future, the continued adoption of Global GAP principles presents a significant opportunity to build a more sustainable and resilient global food system, promoting a harmonious coexistence between agriculture and the environment.
Author is an Assistant Editor
The Environment Review
envreview.com 