Certifications: Global Gap, Grasp, Organic, Spring.
An important prerogative for the European market
Especially dedicated to the large-scale retail trade that increasingly requires regulations which give the companies an internal self-control, in order to provide a product grown with good agricultural practices that comply with food safety and in line with the sustainability required by the latest environmental regulations.
Our agrotechnical service has activated a dedicated service to support the associated companies in achieving the certifications: GLOBAL GAP, GLOBAL GRASP, SPRING and ORGANIC.
During the last 3 years, the request has increased to the point of having over 40 companies to obtain certification and the interest of the members is always more in a positive trend.
The main certification is the GLOBAL GAP: companies with ornamental flower production must meet the FO (Flower and Ornamental) checklist, those with food-grade production must meet the FV (Fruit and Vegetables) parameters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new rules and version 5.3 of the certificate is mandatory from May 21, 2020.
GRASP is an additional module of the Global Gap that certifies the company from an ethical and social point of view. This certification has also become practically mandatory in order to enter the European large-scale retail trade market.
The SPRING program is an add-on born from the collaboration between COOP Switzerland and Global GAP and is especially requested by Swiss customers. This module integrates a series of requirements, aimed at evaluating the sustainable water management of the farm such as:
- the legal compliance of water sources and extraction rates;
- good practices in water management;
- the protection of water resources;
- monitoring of water consumption (m3/ha/year);
- the impact of producers on the sustainable management of river basins.
The ORGANIC certification does not exclude other certifications and is an agricultural certification system defined and regulated at European level.
It prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals and the use of GMOs.
How we support the farm during the certification process
We carry out a preliminary inspection in the company to detect and regularize any deficiencies: pesticides locker, provision of forms, stock list of pesticides, fertilizers, etc...
We will then take care of filling up all the necessary documentation for the inspection visit by the Control Unit, including the logbook and the company mapping - the division of the plots with the appropriate signages.
Our support continues during the audit with the certifying agency and subsequently after obtaining the certification.