Implementing GAP programmes: lessons learnt from other countries and FAO activities

1. Implementing GAP programmes: lessons learnt from other countries and FAO activities Anne-Sophie Poisot, FAO Agriculture Department FAO-Thailand Workshop on GAP for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 14-15 September 2005

2. Objective : share lessons • Scope & purpose of GAP • Benefits & costs for farmers & countries • Alternative scenarios and options • Lessons on stakeholders and strategies • FAO assistance on GAP

3. 1. What is GAP ? FAO definition ensuring food safety & quality GAP economically viable environmentally sustainable GAP: practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products (FAO, 2003) socially acceptable

4. Prerequisite Programmes are the basis for implementing Quality and Safety Assurance programmes such as HACCP or Certification programmes GAP GHP GMP

5. ....welcome to the GAP jungle...Definitions- Types of GAP Standards (1) • 1. Standards – generic term (ISO) • PRODUCT standards = on product attributes: taste, appearance, safety, convenience, etc. • PROCESS standards = how products are made : organic method, protecting environment and workers, etc • 2. Regulations: Government standards – mandatory • 3. International standards e.g. Codex Alimentarius, International Plant Protection Convention, Code of conduct on the use of pesticides, etc.

6. Definitions – Types of GAP Standards (2) 4. Business-to-Business Certification programme • with third-party or in-house assurance No label. e.g. EurepGAP 5. Labelling: an information on certification to the consumer National GAP programmes are based on some or most of the above. e.g. Thai Q GAP, Malaysia SALM, ChileGAP, Guatemala PIPAA, Singapore GAP-VF, IndonGAP,...

7. Official Programmes – Tightening of regulations for long-standing concerns; new standards for unknown/ unregulated hazards – Total ‘farm to fork’ perspective; more process standards – Intensification of enforcement – Precaution in face of scientific uncertainty Private Programmes – Consolidate sourcing—’preferred suppliers’ – Harmonization yet competition between private standards – Shift responsibility on the producer = Scientific knowledge, food ‘scandals’, increased consumerawareness, increased trade, political & commercial risk aversion Driving forces of GAP

8. Features of GAP programmesCritical review • Food Safety/Qlty • Economic • Environment not enough! • Social not enough!

9. ...one definition of ‘GAP’ standard is not equal to another... International standards, market GAPs, national GAPs... - compare them, AND - compare with your national/local knowledge on the content: “Is this is really ‘good practice’?” on benefits: “What will I/we really benefit?” = define your standard and strategy best adapted to your NEEDS and OBJECTIVES ?

10. 2. Lessons - Challenges of GAP : For farmers • Too many standards and codes • Hard for small farmers (investments, paperwork, certification fees) • e.g. cooperative tomatoes suppliers to McDonald’s in Guatemala: from 330 to 6 in two years … • Not always a better price for GAP products • Lack of local certification body & certified testing lab • Not always guarantee from buyer • Market advantage may disappear overtime

11. Lessons - Challenges of GAP : For countries • Harmonization - with SPS/natl regulations AND - with private standards • Tightening + proliferation of standards coincide with downward international prices • ‘Traditional’ competitiveness factors for export (macroecon. stability, productivity, logistics, reliability) often as/more important as standards!

12. Strategic Options for Developing Countries, Farmers & Agribusiness • Exit—change export markets, shift back to domestic market, change products, get out of business • Voice—WTO complaints/cross-notifications, CODEX participation, bilateral negotiations, negotiate with buyers • Loyalty: ensure compliance to GAP • Some combinations of these options are normally employed at the country, industry or farm level Lessons from: Hirschman’s ‘Paradigm of Exit, Voice, and Loyalty as Strategic Options’

13. •GAP asBarrier ... or... – Non-transparent protective tool – Information unclear – High, unattainable – High costs of compliance – Marginalize small countries, traders and farmers – Contraction of Trade • GAP as Catalyst – Harmonized procedures and rules build confidence – Spur investment, modernization &public/private collaboration – Stimulate improved practices & stronger technical support – Foster new forms of competitive advantage – Maintain/expand income opportunities 3. Alternative scenarios for GAP Lessons from: World Bank, 2004

14. GAP Good Agricultural Practices

15. 4. Lessons learnt – GAP Incentives • Farmer need to get a clear benefit for GAP to succeed (Burkina Faso, Chile) • Focus on improvement: encourage innovation, not compliance: HOW ? • Most GAP, though not all, pay for themselves (they improve product quality & reduce risk) (Burkina Faso) • Need long term training for farmers and advisers to change practices (IPM program)

16. Lessons-learnt - GAP Strategy • Be strategic: some crops have more impacts and potential than others • Focus on the most serious environmental impacts: 8-10 activities cause most impacts • Policy and coordination of government services • Build CREDIBILITY of GAP programme • MULTIDISCIPLINARYexpertise needed for GAP: food safety and quality + sustainable production + marketing + extension/training

17. Lessons learnt - GAP Stakeholders • Successful GAP programmes involve producer organizations, consumers, exporters/retailers & gov. (Latin America). Government cannot do all • Farmers & communities create most good practices (Burkina Faso) • too much consumer & managerial focus • think of farmers

18. In Summary: GAP Components Content: 4 pillars food safety & quality, environ, economic & social sustainability Should initiate or be closely involved Length &Quality of training a KEY to success of GAP

19. 5. FAO assistance on GAP • INFORMATION on GAP: studies on incentives, cost, benefits… • GAP database http://www.fao.org/prods/gap/database/index.html • GAP website http://www.fao.org/prods/GAP/gapindex_en.htm • DEFINING GLOBAL PRINCIPLES of GAP (on-going) • COUNTRY AND REGIONAL LEVEL • Policy & technical assistance projects • Facilitate agreement on GAP between public/private stakeholders • Capacity building: trainer of trainers & farmers, help farmers link to markets

20. Remember ! GAP is about... • Coverage of sustainability issues = INTEGRATION • Who pays for GAP? = REPARTITION • Opportunities, but risks for small farmers. Effects on trade + and - = analyze REPERCUSSIONS • Ultimately, a matter of policy choice for governments = VISION • Support win-win situations for consumers, food markets and farmers = NEGOTIATION

21. Remember !... ...It’s exciting !

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