New group of 23 agricultural producers get international certificates

Chisinau, 19 December /MOLDPRES/ – A new group of fruit and grape producers in Moldova has obtained GLOBALG.A.P certificates, on Thursday, 19 December, and GRASP, which confirms the food safety and social responsibility requirements of agricultural companies. The compliance with these standards is a mandatory requirement for export – oriented farmers in EU, other international markets, increasing consumer confidence in harmlessness of Moldovan products.

For implementation and certification of GLOBALG.A.P, the 23 agricultural producers from all regions of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, have received technical assistance from the project of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Performing Agriculture in Moldova (APM).

According to Head of USAID Mission in Moldova, Scott Hocklander, the Moldovan fruits and efforts of agricultural producers deserve the respect and recognition of international consumers. "Certificate GLOBALG.A.P. means new markets, sales growth, quality production and jobs in Moldova," said the head of the USAID mission.

At his part, the general director of the National Agency for Food Safety, Vladislav Cotici, has encouraged GLOBALG.A.P certified producers to maintain international standards in production process, "because only in this way we can prove that Moldovan products are qualitative and harmless".

In this context, head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, Vasile Sarban, has specified that "previously the Moldovan farmers focused on the volume of production, but now it is a priority to produce fruits and grapes with a commercial, tasty and harmless appearance".

More certified manufacturers confirmed that, due to implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards, in 2019, they were able to export to new markets of the EU member states, such as Austria, Germany, Italy etc.

The GLOBALG.A.P standard covers the entire production process, from selection of agricultural land to delivery of fruits and vegetables to the market. Thus, the implementation of the GLOBALG.A.P standard. assures the buyer that the fruits and vegetables are safe for consumption, by minimising the negative effects on environment, reducing the chemicals used and a responsible approach to health and safety of employees, etc. In general, GLOBALG.A.P. refers to the production of vegetables and fruits, cultivation of cereals and flowers, raising of animals and birds, aquaculture. The legislation of Moldova comprises over 75 per cent of the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements, which are mandatory ones to be implemented by producers. Also, Certificate GLOBALG.A.P. is a precondition for grant beneficiaries.

In Moldova GLOBALG.A.P. have been implemented for 15 years. During this period, there have been certified over 50 agricultural producers, most of them reconfirming each year their compliance with respective requirements.