1. Implementation of GAP in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Sector in Malaysia Presented By Sathianathan Menon qa plus asia-pacific sdn.bhd. Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA FAO- Thailand Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 14th – 15th September 2005 Bangkok, Thailand

2. Fruit and Vegetable Industry under NAP3 Basic policies and strategies are outlined to address issues encountered by the FFV industry Amplified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries through its key agencies NAP3 targets to achieve near self sufficiency levels for fruits and vegetables in 2010.

3. Fruit & Vegetables Development Strategies under NAP3 (1998-2010) 1) Increasing efficiency & productivity 2) Rationalizing resource use 3) Strengthening Competitiveness 4) Strengthening Economic Foundation 5) Strategic Sourcing

4. Drivers for implementing GAP Schemes in Malaysia Food safety concerns Worker welfare International market demands Competitiveness Improved acceptability In compliance with National Agricultural Policy

5. Initiatives on GAP in Malaysia Implementation of SALM Scheme Development of Malaysian Standard MS 1784: 2005 for Crop Commodities – Good Agricultural Practice

6. FARM ACCREDITATION SCHEME OF MALAYSIA (SALM) Source: Department of Agriculture, Malaysia

7. SALM and Department of Agriculture SALM is a national program developed by the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia. Implementation of the Scheme The scheme started from January 2002.

8. WHAT IS SALM ? Objective A program to recognize and accredit farms that adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), operate in a sustainable and an environmentally friendly way and yield produces that are of quality and safe for consumption

9. FARM ASPECTS EVALUATED Legal Status of Farm Environmental Setting Agricultural Inputs For Production Agronomic Practices Waste Disposal Management Workers Welfare and Safety Quality of Farm Produces

10. Problems Experienced in Implementation of SALM Documentation of procedures Understanding of GAP requirements Communicating objectives and requirements to workers Maintenance of records, traceability IPM Pesticide residue analysis Inadequate equipment Management of the system Cost of compliance

11. Malaysian Standard on Good Agricultural Practice MS 1784:2005 Developed by the Working Group on GAP for Crop Commodities Approved by the Department of Standards Malaysia, the national standardization and accreditation body In January 2005 Secretariat is SIRIM Berhad Source: MS 1784:2005 issued by SIRIM

12. Normative References for MS- GAP 1784:2005 EUREPGAP Ver 2.0Jan-04 Control Points & Compliance Criteria- Fruits & Vegetable Malaysian Environment Quality Act 1974 and Environment Quality Regulations 1979 Malaysian Pesticide Act 1974 Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 MS ISO/IEC 17025, General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

13. Other MS-GAP Standards for specific crops-being developed GAP standards for specific crop commodities based on Generic MS 1784:2005 Crop commodities include Fruits & Vegetables, Cocoa, Palm Oil, Rubber, Tea, Coffee, Pepper, Flowers Presently being developed by Technical Working Groups comprising experts for specific crops

14. Common misconceptions in implementing GAP Identified with increasing cost Farms may comply but do not get premiums Voluminous record-keeping/ paperwork Buyer market is not guaranteed In actual fact GAP contributes to: Increase in productivity - efficient and effective use of agricultural inputs - improved morale of workers Product safety and quality

15. Problems to implementation of GAP Insufficient awareness of the impact of agricultural practices on - the environment - climate - social : worker welfare - food safety

16. Grave need to increase this awareness Inform people, policy makers, agri- business heads and the public at large on the negative impacts of unhealthy agricultural practices

17. Codes of Practice on GAP There a a number of codes of practice being developed by various institutions and organizations Leads to confusion as to which is preferred and may tend to deprecate some over others The code must not only benefit farmers & producers but must be accepted by the trade

18. What needs to be done Awareness seminars, workshops and conferences Capacity building at all levels in elements that contribute to GAP and standards Suitably trained personnel on agricultural auditing through conduct of proper recognized training programs which is presently lacking Local auditors would reduce cost of certification Simplifying documentation – IT systems

19. THANK YOU qa plus asia-pacific sdn. bhd. No.132A, Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara 50490 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 603-20936195 Fax: 603-20942920 Website: www.qaplusasia.comwww.qaplusasia.com E-mail: qaplus@consultant.com