ISHS Acta Horticulturae 742: International Conference and Exhibition on Soilless Culture: ICESC 2005
GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTISES (GAP) AND GREENHOUSE CROPS |
| Author: | M. Nichols |
| Keywords: | Good Agricultural Practices |
| Abstract:
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is currently seen as a safety assurance programme for fresh fruits and vegetables from the field to fork (or paddock to plate)!! Fruit and vegetables are very susceptible to contamination by micro-organisms and by pesticides, and there is international concern about these aspects of international trade. Currently GAP is essentially a consumer (supermarket?) driven programme, although clearly the initial move must be made in the food producing country. The food chain for fresh fruit and vegetables can be very long and complex (particularly when exporting), and is dependent very much on the weakest link. Once contamination has occurred it is extremely difficult (and expensive) to decontaminate the product. EUREPGAP is probably the most holistic of the GAP’s (incorporating environmental and social aspects as well as food safety aspects). | |
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