New agricultural techniques are developing depending on the development of technology. Trying new inventions in production techniques. New methods are applied for processing agricultural products and making them ready for consumption. Meanwhile, the world population is growing. Fast living conditions also change eating habits. The rapid growth of industry and irresponsible use of natural resources disrupt the ecological balance of the world. Global warming brings with it serious life challenges. Nature is now rebelling against people. There is growing concern about leaving a livable world for future generations. All these negativities create problems in the supply of food that will not harm human health.

The authorities of countries that have realized that something has to be done before they are too late have started to make some legal arrangements. The national or international organizations that are responsible have started to work on the establishment of agricultural production in certain criteria and standards. People have now started to look for products that are guaranteed to be more secure in the food market.

Food safety The concept, which is expressed as having many elements, includes:

  • Foodstuffs do not contain unnatural components
  • Keeping these components at a level that is harmless or acceptable
  • Hygiene and hygiene conditions must be complied with in food production
  • Giving importance to relations with environment in various production stages of foods
  • Production activities prioritize the health and well-being of people

In line with these concerns, retailers operating in European Union countries have come together to guarantee that the products they offer to their customers are safe and are manufactured on the basis of the principle of being sustainable. With the concern of protecting human feelings and nature, this group later established the European Retailers Product Study Group in 1997 (Euro Retailer Produce Working Group, EUREP). This group started to work with the aim of making money and acting with a sense of social responsibility. Good Agricultural Practices The concept was first put forward during these studies (Good Agricultural Practices, GAP).

The group established in itself in 2001 EUREPGAP The Technical and Standards Committee has established a system that is produced in accordance with the criteria and standards they have determined and controls all the stages of the product from planting to delivery to the consumer, and in this way tries to ensure the safety of agricultural products and to improve the food quality. As a result, studies have been initiated to inspect and certify the compliance of agricultural products with the specified criteria and standards. In this way, Good Agricultural Practices certification activities have started.

These works of the EUREPGAP Technical and Standards Committee have spread over the world in a short time and each country has established its own national systems. For example, ChileGAP in Chile, ChinaGAP in China, and JGAP in Japan. As such, EUREPGAP made a decision in 2007 GLOBALGAP has changed.

GLOBALGAP CertificateWhen the application began, it was first started to be called as a prerequisite for the entry of fresh fruits and vegetables into European Union countries. In this way, this document has been a guarantee of product monitoring by European Union retailers. Consumers are assured that any agricultural product they receive is not risky in terms of cleanliness and hygiene, and therefore no damage to the environment during production.

Agencies exporting agricultural products to the European Union countries are obliged to obtain this document to prove to the consumers that their products meet the required conditions through retailers. The GLOBALGAP Certificate is a document issued by independent and independent organizations that shows that the manufacturers meet the necessary conditions. It is a mandatory document for the products to enter the European Union markets.

The same understanding has begun to develop rapidly in our country, and some large retailers demand products with GLOBALGAP certificate from the manufacturers as proof of the reliability of the products they offer to their customers.

The basic principles of the GLOBALGAP system can be explained as follows:

      Improving the quality of food in agricultural products

      To increase the productivity of agricultural production

      Keeping ecological balance and protecting nature

      Ensuring the efficient use of natural resources

      Combining traditional farming methods with today's production technologies

      To improve the quality of life of producers, consumers and society in general

The criteria and standards set by the GLOBALGAP system are the standards that determine the minimum security requirements people demand. People buy foods,

      Chemical, physical and microbiologically harmful

      Since the production activities of the producers do not harm the environment and natural equilibrium.

      Has been produced in accordance with legal regulations and

      Since all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the health and safety of persons working in production activities

they want to be sure.

To meet these expectations of people GLOBALGAP Systemhas been developed as a quality system in the agricultural sector. It focuses on production in the field and has adopted the principles of integrated agriculture. HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System and ISO 9001 Quality Management System are in compliance with food safety and quality. In terms of environmental management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is in parallel with OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System in terms of occupational health and safety.

TÜRCERT is one of the consultancy organizations of companies that carry out agricultural product certification studies. TÜRCERT consultancy firm is ready to provide all kinds of services for organizations that want to get more information about the GLOBALGAP system or request a GLOBALGAP Certificate.