GlobalG.A.P. is a set of standards for good agricultural practices (GAP) in primary agricultural production, applicable to the following areas:

• crop production
• livestock production
• aquaculture
• transport of live animals
• supply chain monitoring
• production of compound feed

This standard covers a wide range of areas, including food safety, worker safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. It is designed to help producers demonstrate that their products have been produced in a safe, sustainable and responsible manner.

GlobalG.A.P. standards are recognised worldwide and used by producers who wish to demonstrate that their products meet high standards of sustainable agriculture. GlobalG.A.P. certification is voluntary, but an increasing number of agricultural produce buyers, such as retail chains, require this certification from their suppliers.

Types of GlobalG.A.P. certificates:

GlobalG.A.P. IFA (Integrated Farm Assurance) – integrated farm safety management. Applies to farms operating in the following sectors:

• Crop production – cereals, fruit, vegetables, ornamental flowers.
• Livestock production – poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep.
• Aquaculture – fish, crustaceans, molluscs.

The IFA standard adopts a holistic approach that encompasses responsible agricultural practices covering:

• Food safety
• Environmental sustainability and biodiversity
• Health, safety and welfare of workers
• Animal health and welfare
• Legal issues, management and traceability
• Production processes
• Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Integrated Pest Control (IPC)
• Quality Management System (QMS) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

GLOBALG.A.P. CfP (Crops for Processing) – crops intended for processing.

The CfP standard covers, amongst other things, crops intended for freezing, juicing, the preparation of ready meals and animal feed. These crops are subject to the same standards as IFA crops, with the exception of two differences: the risk-based approach to food safety and the audit rules.

GLOBALG.A.P. Livestock Transport Standard – the transport of live animals.

The Livestock Transport Standard is a standard for transport companies that handle the transport of all types of livestock over distances exceeding 65 km and, in the case of third-party transport, over distances of less than 65 km. The standard applies to road transport. It does not cover transport by air and/or sea, with the exception of ro-ro ferries.

It should be emphasised that livestock farmers certified under GlobalG.A.P. are required to transport their animals exclusively using carriers holding the GLOBALG.A.P. Livestock Transport Standard certificate.

Certified farmers who transport livestock over a distance of less than 65 km must comply with the requirements set out in IFA Livestock Base Section 9 (Livestock Dispatch)

GLOBALG.A.P. CoC (Chain of Custody) – Supply chain.

The CoC standard serves to ensure transparency and traceability within the supply chain of agricultural products. The aim of this standard is to ensure that agricultural products labelled as certified in accordance with GlobalGAP actually originate from certified farms and are processed in accordance with GlobalGAP requirements. This standard applies to producers, processors, distributors and other entities involved in the supply chain of agricultural products certified in accordance with GlobalGAP.

GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS (Harmonized Produce Safety Standard) – a harmonised produce safety standard.

The HPSS standard is a benchmark for the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) (*1 in the area of primary fruit and vegetable production (GFSI Scope B-1: Cultivation of crops other than cereals and pulses) and consists of a combined harmonised standard from the International Fresh Produce Association and GLOBALG.A.P. backed integrity.

The standard was designed by and for producers in the United States of America (USA) or those who sell to the US market.

HPSS offers food safety certification for the production of fruit and vegetables and machine-harvested crops. The

HPSS for fruit and vegetables is recognised by GFSI (*1. Producers growing pulses, cereals and other machine-harvested crops (classified by GLOBALG.A.P. as ‘mixed crops’) may apply for HPSS certification, but the certificate obtained is not recognised by GFSI.

*1) GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) is an international initiative aimed at improving food safety worldwide by establishing common standards and best practices in food safety. GFSI was founded in 2000 by a network of the world’s largest retail and wholesale buyers, and its aim is to ensure that food products worldwide are safe for consumers and meet high quality standards. GFSI works with various organisations, including governments, industry and non-governmental organisations, to promote best practices in food safety and prevent food-related public health risks.

GLOBALG.A.P. CFM (Compound Feed Manufacturing) – the production of compound feed.

The CFM standard defines Control Points and Compliance Criteria to ensure quality in the production, supply and purchase of raw materials intended as feed ingredients for compound feed. It covers all stages of production, from the purchase, handling and storage of ingredients to the processing and distribution of finished compound feed.

The CFM standard covers compound feed for food-producing animals covered by GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standards for livestock and aquaculture only.

Feed mix producers who supply livestock and aquaculture producers certified under GLOBALG.A.P. IFA must hold a CFM certificate.

Livestock and aquaculture producers who hold IFA certification must source their feed from feed mix producers who hold CFM certification or its equivalent.