Two weeks ago, GLOBALG.A.P. announced a new version for the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard. Version 6 of the GLOBALG.A.P. assurance framework was launched and an updated GRASP standard version 2. Click here to read the announcement, and click here to read a summary of changes.
GLOBALG.A.P. offers two different IFA checklists for fruit and vegetables. One that incorporates the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked requirements, click here for a checklist. Another is called SMART IFA standard without the GFSI requirements, click here for a checklist. The checklist a grower chooses will depend on what market/s the produce goes to. A brief summary of the two options is provided in the links above. If you are not sure, contact your Exporter or GLOBALG.A.P. certification provider.
The New Zealand GLOBALG.A.P. National Technical Working Group (NTWG) is interpreting the changes to the IFA standard to provide local growers clarity about how to implement the changes. The group is also working on grower support material and, where possible, integration of national regulation where there is direct overlap with v6. The transition from IFA v5 to v6 is likely to take a year before all GLOBALG.A.P. growers must be using the new standard, but more information will be provided later this year.
NTWG is also collaborating with horticulture industry bodies to seek recognition of the new standard as meeting local farm planning regulations. The group has previously achieved success in getting recognition of Food Control Plans under the Food Act 2014.