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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