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Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) for bananas










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    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Good Agricultural Practices for Bananas 2017
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    Global G.A.P is a global standard aiming to ensure the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices in primary production. The fundamental objective of Global G.A.P is to promote safe and sustainable agricultural production worldwide, setting voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products. It addresses issues such as food safety, environmental protection, safety, health and welfare of workers, and traceability. In 2014 Global G.A.P reported more than 139,000 certified produc ers in more than 118 countries, and more than 1600 auditors and inspectors working for 141 accredited certifiers . In the banana production case, the standard for fruits and vegetables is applied. This covers all stages of production, including pre-harvest, soil management and applications of plant protection products as well as the processes of post-harvest, packaging and storage. Under the standard of fruits and vegetables, in 2016, Global G.A.P reported more than 160,000 certified producers in 124 countries . In 2011, the area (ha) of certified bananas represented 9% of the total certified area across all open field crops, and approximately 6% of the total number of certified producers.
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    Organic certification of bananas 2017
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    Organic certification is the process whereby a third party certifies compliance with the standards of organic production for a specific crop. The Codex Alimentarius defines organic agriculture as a holistic system of production which promotes and improves the agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It takes into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems, which is achieved by using, when possible, cultural, biological a nd mechanical methods, as opposed to synthetic inputs.
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    Environmental and Social Standards, Certification and Labelling for Cash Crops 2003
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    Workplace safety and environmental sustainability can be promoted by agreed standards, certification and labelling. Relevant standards for cash crops in developing countries are reviewed here, including organic agriculture, fair-trade labelling, SA8000, Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Programme, the ETI, ISO 14001 and EurepGap. The origins of these initiatives, their scope and certification system are explored. In addition, stakeholder involvement, the standard-setting process, ver ification methods, the relation with WTO agreements and the potential role of governments are discussed. Twenty-two case studies on the impact of these standards and certification programmes on production costs and revenues for farmers in developing countries are presented, in addition to the latest data available on markets for labelled bananas, coffee, tea and citrus. Governments, private companies and NGOs facing complex decisions regarding environmental and social standards, certificatio n and labelling will find this material useful.

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