A joint approach: Global Food Safety Initiative and GlobalGAP

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The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by CIES -- The Food Business Forum, and GlobalGAP announced today that together they are developing a joint approach to benchmarking for farm assurance scheme owners.

To provide a transparent and coherent approach, GFSI and GLOBALGAP have begun a review of the GFSI Guidance Document and the GLOBALGAP Good Agricultural Practice Reference Standard. The aim is to align the two benchmarking processes and benchmarking criteria, to provide equivalent end results.

This partnership will provide a harmonised and streamlined framework for benchmarking services to farm assurance food safety scheme owners specifically within the scope of food safety. The end result will create greater recognition and confidence along the entire supply chain for all stakeholders from farm to fork.

J P Suarez, Chairman of the GFSI and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, International Division, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said "We are delighted to form this partnership with GLOBALGAP which will make recognition of food safety elements on farm much easier for retailers, manufacturers and food service operators" Nigel Garbutt, Chairman of GLOBALGAP added "Producers will also benefit from a harmonised set of Good Agricultural Practice food safety criteria, applicable to agricultural production around the globe."