Insights from the GlobalGAP Summit 2024

Our GlobalG.A.P. Scheme Manager Teresa Fresu attended the GlobalGAP Summit 2024, and she brought home some important key notes:

1. The Path to Sustainability: We explored solutions for responsible agriculture, including the development of the new GGAP environmental sustainability solution with AgFoodAssist and Fyffes. This initiative is a significant step towards more sustainable farming practices.
    
2. The Value of Certification: One of the best breakout sessions focused on the importance of certification beyond buyer requirements. We discussed legislation and evolving requirements to combat greenwashing, and the role of certification in building trust within the value chain. It was enlightening to hear from IFC and FMO about how investment banks use GGAP certification as a KPI for agricultural investments.
    
3. Supply Chain Legislation: We unpacked social and environmental sustainability requirements with insights from AgFoodAssist, Inoqo, North Bay Produce, Freshfel, and CropLife Europe. Understanding these requirements is crucial for ensuring compliance and promoting sustainable practices.
    
4. Technological Innovations:
   • Remote Sensing Technology: OSapiens showcased the value of remote sensing in agriculture, highlighting its application in monitoring deforested areas, plantations, pastures, and crops. This technology will be vital for the upcoming EUDR (EU deforestation regulation), certification for commodities imported to EU.
      
   • Immersive Learning for Sustainable Agriculture (ILSA): The use of VR technology for immersive learning in sustainable agriculture was another highlight. Tools like VR headsets and VR boxes are revolutionizing how we educate and train in this field.
      
5. Key Messages:
   • Food Safety: It’s non-negotiable and must always come first. During these times of polycrisis, it’s crucial to ensure that environmental and social sustainability are not compromised in food production and supply chains. Richard Schouten (representing Dutch Retailers) emphasized that sustainability should not be part of the competition; instead, retailers should compete on metrics like water consumption, GHG emissions, and plastic use.
      
   • Agriculture’s Impact: Agriculture is responsible for 30% of global GHG emissions, with food waste accounting for 10% of global production and 8% of GHG emissions. The GGAP Standard IFA focuses on reducing food waste and emissions at the farm level.

These insights are all valuable and the process of how we can integrate these learnings into our work has started. Together, we can drive positive change and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

For questions or more information please do not hesitate to contact our GlobalG.A.P. Scheme Manager Teresa Fresu on mtf@balticcontrol.com

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