YOUR INDUSTRY
NZGAP year in review It has been another challenging yet successful year for the New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice (NZGAP) scheme where we have continued the recognition, development and improvement of our integrated certification system. By Damien Farrelly : NZGAP manager The system provides growers assurance for the safe and sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand. Strategy This year NZGAP embarked on a strategic review to help establish the future direction of the scheme, to ensure that NZGAP continues to service existing certificate holders and to pursue emerging needs and opportunities. Key considerations for the review were: • The long-term vision and purpose of NZGAP • Future scope of certification (i.e., what range of crops and products) • Future scope of standards (i.e., Food Safety, Social Practice, Environment) • Understanding future certification needs and drivers for members and stakeholders. 24
The ORCHARDIST : DECEMBER 2021
Extensive stakeholder consultation was involved in the review, with all feedback collated by Primary Purpose for consideration by the NZGAP committee. Lockdowns have hindered workshops and delayed drafting of the new strategy, but the draft will be shared with key stakeholders in the new year for consultation before it is finalised and launched. Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) NZGAP will soon commence the process for attaining GFSI recognition which is increasingly becoming a retailer requirement of GAP schemes worldwide. GFSI is an organisation run by the Consumer Goods Forum which benchmarks and recognises GAP standards so that grower certification can be accepted by retailers (e.g., GLOBALG.A.P.). The project will commence before the end of 2021, and it will take until September 2022 to complete
