Certification schemes are consolidated

A harmonised system for the certification of horticultural products with reference to environmental and worker-welfare standards has recently been launched by major European retail chains. The scheme includes integrated crop and pest management best practices as well as worker-welfare standards. The EUREPGAP scheme will now be recognised as the certification baseline. There are also plans to extend the EUREPGAP scheme to other products such as meats and grains, although these are only at an early stage. Comment: ACP suppliers not meeting these standards could find themselves squeezed out of major components of the EU retail market with consequent effects on the prices received for their products. While retail chains are working with existing suppliers to help them meet the new standards, these new standards could make it more difficult for new ACP suppliers to enter the EU market profitably.A harmonised system for the certification of..