implementing gap programmes: lessons learnt from other countries and fao activities
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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. Objective : share lessons. Scope & purpose of GAP - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
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Objective : share lessons
1. Scope & purpose of GAP2. Benefits & costs for farmers & countries3. Alternative scenarios and options4. Lessons on stakeholders and strategies5. FAO assistance on GAP
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socially acceptable
GAP
economically viableenvironmentally
sustainable
socially acceptable
ensuring food safety & quality
1. What is GAP ? FAO definition
GAP: practices that address environmental, economic and
social sustainability for on-farmprocesses and result in safe and
quality food and non-food agricultural products (FAO, 2003)
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are the basis for implementing Quality and Safety Assurance programmes such as
HACCP or Certification programmes
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....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.
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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,...
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= Scientific knowledge, food ‘scandals’, increased consumerawareness, increased trade, political & commercial risk aversion 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
Driving forces of GAP
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Features of GAP programmesCritical review
Food Safety/Qlty
Economic
Environment not enough!
Social not enough!
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...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
?
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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
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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!
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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, CODEXparticipation, bilateral negotiations, negotiate with buyers
• Loyalty: ensure compliance to GAP
• Some combinations of these options are normallyemployed at the country, industry or farm level
Lessons from: Hirschman’s ‘Paradigm of Exit, Voice, and Loyalty as Strategic Options’
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3. Alternative scenarios for GAP
• GAP as Barrier ... 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
Lessons from: World Bank, 2004
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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)
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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 MULTIDISCIPLINARY expertise needed for
GAP: food safety and quality + sustainable production + marketing + extension/training
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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
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In Summary: GAP Components
Strong Policy &Coordination
Market Demand& Private Support
TRAININGfarmer, adviser
inspector
EfficientInspection/Certif/Lab
Good GAPdocumentation
GAP Regulations& Standards
GAP PROGRAMME
Content: 4 pillars food safety &
quality, environ, economic & social
sustainability
Length &Quality of traininga KEY to success of GAP
Shouldinitiate or be
closelyinvolved
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5. FAO assistance on GAP1) 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
2) DEFINING GLOBAL PRINCIPLES of GAP (on-going)
3) COUNTRY AND REGIONAL LEVELa. Policy & technical assistance projectsb. Facilitate agreement on GAP between public/private stakeholdersc. Capacity building: trainer of trainers & farmers, help farmers link to
markets
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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
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Remember !...
...It’s exciting !
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