Unplanned and irresponsible agricultural practices harm nature. The use of high levels of chemicals in agriculture, wrong irrigation and fertilization, and studies on genetically modified foods destroy agricultural areas. On the one hand, high population growth, on the other hand the decrease in production areas and the depletion of water resources increase the deficit of agricultural products. The fact that chemicals continue to be used in production unconsciously and with the ambition of money increases this risk. Chemical pollution in water is increasing, residues are found in agricultural products and animal feed, microbiological pollution is increased and greenhouse effect is created and climate changes are caused.
In order to stop this bad trend, good agricultural practices have been initiated in the world. With this application, understanding of making reliable and sustainable agriculture has been brought.
What is Good Agricultural Practices?
The EUREP-GAP protocol, the most comprehensive best agricultural practice today, was published by the European Retailers Association in 1999. This protocol first described the principles of good agricultural practices in fresh fruits and vegetables. When the major retailers of the European Retailers Association started to prefer agricultural products with EUREP-GAP Certificate, this practice spread to the whole world in a short time.
The EUREP-GAP standard is based on the basic principles of the food safety system and is based on the HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System.
The EUREP-GAP standard sets out the following critical control points:
• Critical mandatory criteria: These criteria must be met in full. If these criteria are not met, the certificate is dropped.
• Critical non-mandatory criteria: At least percent 95 of these criteria must be fulfilled.
• Possible criteria: These criteria are suggestions.
Protecting natural resources with good agricultural practices and promoting environmental awareness, preventing air, water and soil pollution, ensuring planned and conscious production, creating storage and recycling opportunities for wastes, ensuring the healthy development of livestock, not using prohibited substances in production activities, to ensure traceability and sustainability. In short, the goal is to ensure food safety.
Agricultural Quality Certificate is given to the enterprises operating within the framework of these principles. It is proved that the enterprises that have this certificate are engaged in agricultural production that does not harm the health of nature, human and animal.
For more information on EUREP-GAP standard and Agricultural Quality Certificate, please contact TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc., managers and employees can apply.