GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Due to rapid development of transport and communication facilities, the economies of the world have became more interrelated and interdependent. There is continuous flow of goods and services across the borders and whole world have become a global village. The WTO established by its member aim to liberalize trade among member countries so that they all gain from trade. Under the WTO, the member countries have committed to open borders for trade by reducing tariff walls and removing quantitative restriction to make trade freer. This has increased the chances of shifting of different hazards from one country to another.
Mostly the fruit & vegetable are traded among the countries in fresh and raw form. Since these are grown in open fields so the chances of contamination increased and it start from the point of production. In order to produce a safe food for local consumption and export, we have to adopt certain good agricultural practices.
One of the most internationally acceptable protocols is EUREPGAP. It is combination of two words EUREP and GAP. The EUREP means Euro- Retailer Produce working Group and GAP stands for Good Agricultural Practices. The Euro- Retailer Produce working Group (EUREP) represents leading European food retailers and aims to promote good production practices in the agricultural sector in order to ensure food safety. EUREP has developed a framework for Good Agricultural Practice, called EUREPGAP, having specific standards for the production of fruits & vegetable, combinable crops, livestock, feed and flowers.
HISTORY:
In the nineties, the agricultural sector was faced with increased concern of consumers, NGOs and governments about food safety and environmental issues related to food production. In 1997, several leading European supermarkets responded to this concern with the development of the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP). This working group of the major European retailers developed a framework for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for overseas products. The objective of this framework, which is now widely known as the EUREPGAP standard, was to increase food safety by the promotion of sound agricultural production methods based on international standards e.g. in the field of hygiene, safety and quality.
The EUREP working group continued its work with an elaboration of the GAP framework into standards for the production of agricultural, horticulture and floricultural products, including a system for independent verification. Since the principal objective of EUREP is to increase food safety, the first standard to be launched was the standard for Fresh Produce (fruit and vegetables) in 1998. Later, EUREP launched standards for other product groups as well (floriculture, livestock, aquaculture and (green) coffee).
MONITORING:
EUREPGAP is a private standard and is applicable to the production of all kinds of agricultural products (including livestock and flowers) within Europe and worldwide.
EUREP developed a checklist for self-assessment purposes. Producers receive their EUREPGAP approval through verification by an independent, EUREP approved, body. EUREPGAP Certification Bodies include: AB Cert, EUROCERT, ICM, Lloyds Register QA and SGS Agro Control. Grower organizations or individual growers that meet EUREPGAP criteria receive a certificate, which is issued by a EUREPGAP approved Certification Body.
COSTS:
Although the EUREPGAP-certification is demanded by EU retailers, the costs of compliance are at the expense of the exporter or producer/processor in the developing country. The cost of compliance can be divided into two categories: non-recurring and recurring. Non-recurring costs are the one time investments made in order to be able to achieve compliance. That is upgrading processing facilities, establishing new procedures and the training of personnel. Because certification is dependent on various factors, costs of certification can vary.
Recurring cost are borne over time and include the costs of recurring verification audits, detailed record-keeping and implementation of traceability systems.
BASIS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (GAPs)
Good Agricultural Practices, more commonly referred to as GAPs are a set of recommendations that can help improve the quality and safety of the produce grown. These general guidelines can be adapted and/ or incorporated into any production system. GAPs focus on four primary components of production and processing; i.e. soil, water, hands, and surfaces.
1. Soil
Disease causing microbes are always present in the soil but their population and resulting risk of product contamination is increase by improper manure management and application. Through GAPs we can maintain clean soil during production and harvesting. For the purpose manure is applied two weeks before planting and minimum of 120 days are provided between manure applications and harvesting. A regular analysis of soil is also carried out and its record is maintained.
2. Water
Water used for irrigation, cooling, processing, and cleaning equipment. The facilities should be free of microbial contaminants. Water quality and safety can be dependent on the water source. Municipal water usually has the best quality because of previous testing and safety requirements. Ground or well water will have fewer pathogens than surface water like ponds, streams, or rivers, because there is less chance of contamination. The method and timing of water use also has an effect on its contribution to product contamination
Regularly testing water sources provides documentation that the water is not a source of contamination.
3. Hands
Refer to the human element in food safety during production and processing. Poor hygiene and health, unclean clothing unsafe practices on the part of workers can threaten food safety. Providing clean restroom and hand washing facilities to field and processing employees helps prevent product contamination
4. Surfaces
Produce items will have physical contact with many surfaces during harvest and processing. These may include harvest equipment, containers, transport bins, knives, sorting and packaging tables, product packaging, and storage areas.
Section1. TRACEABILITY
All fruit & vegetable produce from field / orchard to importer is completely traceable
1. Each orchard is registered and have a identification number
2. This number is placed on all bin cards when fruit is harvested
3. each bin card contain following information
i. Property register number
ii. Orchard block number
iii. Variety of fruit
iv. Harvesting date
v. Maturity level
vi. Market suitability
vii. Post harvest treatment given
4. Under traceability system record is kept and maintained for
i. Orchard plan i.e, location, blocks, major features
ii. Orchard registration number
iii. Counter files of bin cards
iv. Quality control record on orchard and pack house
v. Flow chard indicating traceability from harvesting to port of dispatched
Section 2 RECORD KEEPING
All record is kept and maintain in written form relating to orchard and input used for production of crops for the period of minimum two years which may be available for the purpose of reference and audit
Section 3 VARIETIES AND ROOTSTOCK
i. Trees planted in the orchard are produce on rootstock which are of best quality and of commercially suitable varieties
ii. May have resistance to serious pests and diseases
iii. Be free from genetically modified material and organisms
iv. Record is kept for
· Specifications given to nurseryman
· Contract(s) for supply of nursery trees
· Rootstocks and cultivars supplied
· Specification of cultivar and rootstocks supplied by nurseryman
· Planting area and density
· Date of planting
· Site plan for planning
· Physical data of block including area planted tree spacings and tree numbers.
Information is updated when trees are removed or planted
Section 4 SITE HISTORY AND SITE MANAGEMENT
All known information of the orchard site history is filed in the “Site history and Site management” file. This includes any information relating to environmental and occupational Safety and Health risks associated with the site.
Records kept are:
· Map of soil types, permeability and drainage is held at Grower Trust Marketing Office
· Plan of orchard including all buildings and wells and location of irrigation monitoring systems and rain gauges
· Plans of drainage systems, irrigation systems, subsurface electric cables
Or overhead power lines, waterways and conservation areas
· Up to date plan of orchard plantings including varieties and orchard lot identification
· Area designated as a health and safety risk (spray sheds, fuel storage areas, open drains, power cable and wires etc)
· Plan of pheromone trap locations
· Plan of fumigated areas and pesticide waste disposal areas
· Plan of historically significant areas on the orchard where appropriate
· Water rights and water takes allocation to the property
· Location of neighboring properties and the public roads
· Locations of evacuation areas, First Aid areas and an emergency telephone site.
SITE MANAGEMENT
The following have been identified as potential risk and its management
1. Spray drift: Risk to orchard workers and the neighboring properties from spray drift is limited by operating under following condition
i. The most effective and least loxic pesticides are used
ii. Insecticides are only applied during periods of minimal wind drift
iii. Spraying will only occur during calm or suit able spraying conditions
iv. Appropriate safety gear will be used when spraying
v. Only qualified personnel that have current PHDEB certification are permitted to apply sprays
vi. Suitable signage is placed at either end of the property that horticultural spraying operations are in progress
vii. Application is avoided along road frontage areas during periods of high traffic flows
2. Pesticides Storage Areas: A risk exists where pesticides are stored on this property. This risk is minimized by;
i. Minimizing the storage time of pesticides as far as practical by purchasing the pesticides required on weekly basis
ii. All pesticides are stored in spray shed with a fully bunded impervious floor
3. Spray filler spillage
A risk exists at the sprayer filling area(s), due to the spillage of concentrated pesticides or sprayer tank over when the pesticides are being mixed. This orchard manages the risk of contamination of surrounding land and waterways due to pesticide spillage by;
a well manage impervious spray filler pad is established which is covered by a 50mn thick compact layer of agriculture lime. This should be cover during periods of wet weather to avoid seepage into the ground water or waterways. Any soil contaminated during the filling process will be dug out immediately and either dispersed around the headlands or, if of a significant volume of soil contamination occurs, arrangement must be made with the District Council to dispose of the contaminated soil at an approved site and in an approved manner
4. Fertiliser Storage
Areas where fertilizers are stored are considered “at risk areas”. Fertilisers may be stored
i. In a dry storage area that cannot be infiltered with water
ii. Is only stored in begs
iii. All bags are stored on pallets
5. Water Bore Contamination
Risk of water bore contamination is managed by;
i. Spray filling is done at a suitable distance from water bore, waterways and drains that could be polluted be spillage
ii. The well head bunded to prevent the possibility of any seepage from the sprayer filling area, or from rain and flood waters carrying bacteria or chemical contamination down the sides of the wall casing
6. Overhead Power Lines
Where there is a risk of contact with overhead power lines
i. All staff is informed of risk of contact with lines
ii. All wind breaks near or under power lines are regularly trimmed to a recommended height to avoid risk
7. Underground Power Cables
Where there is a risk of contact with underground electricity cables due to excavation, fencing activities or sub soiling activities, all staff that may be affected must be informed of the areas of risk. These areas must be visibly marked out so that the activity can be avoided throughout these areas.
8. Physical Hazards
Any physical hazards such as open drain, pits and bridges are designated on the orchard plan. All staff are instructed on safety requirements when operating machinery in these areas. A copy of these instructions is held in the Occupational Health and Safety file. Where practical, these areas are marked with signage warning of the hazard.
9. Fuel Storage
Fuel and oil bulk storage areas are considered “a risk” areas to both the environment and staff. To contain any such spill the tank has been sited
Over a bunded area that will contain 125% of the total tank volume the fuel storage tank is contained inside an outer skin that will completely contain liquids. Smoking or fires are not permitted in fuel storage areas. A no smoking sign is displayed in this area.
10. Orchard vehicle and Implement Garaging areas
Vehicle and implemented garaging areas are considered a “at risk” area. When not in use all orchard vehicle and implemented area garaged in a secure area.
11. Spray mixing spillages
This activity is considered to create personal risk risk reduction points include
i. All pesticides to be applied on this property must have a current GROW safe certificate or other accepted industry certification.
ii. All staff must wear appropriate protective equipment provided when mixing or using pesticides
iii. All spills of concentrated pesticides are cleaned up immediately after the spillage occurs.
All mishaps resulting in pesticide spillage are recorded detailing the pesticide name, amount thought to be spilled, method used to clean up the spill and the method of disposal. A map showing the area and rate of disposal (if this was to grassed headland areas) is held filed in the Site History and Management file
Spray spillage mishap in the field
If mishap occurs in the orchard resulting in pesticide seepage from the spray tank, the following action is taken;
i. If possible, the sprayer is driven back to the filler pad to minimize leakage onto land. The hole is temporarily rectified to allow the remaining product to be applied to trees
ii. Where the equipment has been damaged to an extent that further application is not possible, the contents of the tank are either pumped into another orchard sprayer and applied to the trees, or drained onto the spray filler pad. The pesticide is then pumped exceeding maximum
iii. In areas where an accidental pesticide spill has occurred, the spillage site is indicated on the Site History and Management file.
12. Spray tank cleaning