2 replies to this topic

[Farm Life]

Good morning all

My name is Yvonne, l am based in Cambridgeshire but currently working with groups of farmers in Zimbabwe to try and get them global markets. I was wondering if anyone could help please, which is the best certification to get that generally covers most requirements? Is it Global Gap, BRCGS or should we go for the ISO. Our producers will be selling Farm produce from the farm like mangetout, avocados, sweet potatoes, butternuts, red chillies, baby corn etc

Secondly, how much do all these standards cost?

[pHruit]

Hi Yvonne,

This is something of a "how long is a piece of string" type of question. Generally you probably want to go for something that has been benchmarked by GFSI - this page of theirs allows you to filter by scope so you can see which ones would be most applicable for the activities your clients are doing.
From your description it sounds like BRC may not be applicable (it doesn't have a scheme that covers the agricultural end of things) so you're possibly looking at GlobalGAP / SQF / Primus.

As for which is "best", there isn't really a definitive answer to this - they all have their pros and cons.

Which international markets you're targeting may have a bearing on it though, as e.g. UK prefers BRC (where applicable), US seems to lean more towards SQF etc.

If you're able to talk with the potential clients to gauge their preferences then this is probably not a bad way to start.

Personally I wouldn't bother with ISO - something with GFSI benchmarking will generally open more doors for you.

Cost is dependent on scale. Once you've determined which audit scheme(s) you want to look for, talk to some certification bodies to get some quotes.

[Charles.C]

Good morning all

My name is Yvonne, l am based in Cambridgeshire but currently working with groups of farmers in Zimbabwe to try and get them global markets. I was wondering if anyone could help please, which is the best certification to get that generally covers most requirements? Is it Global Gap, BRCGS or should we go for the ISO. Our producers will be selling Farm produce from the farm like mangetout, avocados, sweet potatoes, butternuts, red chillies, baby corn etc

Secondly, how much do all these standards cost?

 

Hi Yvonne,

 

I assume you are looking for GFSI-recognised Standards (GFSI).? (historical factors are detailed here -

http://bzfoodsafety....ood-safety.html

 

I deduce your primary interest is in Produce/Primary Production.

 

There are at least 2 important criteria relating to choice of a Standard, ie (a) customer requirement, (b) your own preference regarding format, content,etc. Item (a) often prioritises but not always exclusively.

 

IMEX (mainly retail Standards) all GFSI Food Standards have some good characteristics and other less good from a user's implementation POV.

 

I am not personally familiar with Produce oriented options but attachment below claims to survey the main options..

(Note that easily located documents on the IT tend to unfortunately be out of date including the one attached - the precise current situation is most reliably given on GFSI's website) (There are at least 2 obvious omissions in the attached survey, viz.  ISO/FSSC and IFS due maybe no appropriate offerings or other "causes").

 

Other users here are probably more directly experienced in yr Product types so can better advise further.

 

 gfsi_cert_options_for_produce-1.pdf   346.23KB   26 downloads