EUREPGAP ASIA 2004
8th - 9th June, 2004
at Mutiara Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

1. Palm Oil in the EU and the Relevance of Food Safety

2. Assessing Best Practice in Food Safety Auditor Qualifications

3. Bayer CropScience commitment to Sustainable Agriculture and it’s contribution to Integrated Crop Management

4. Supply Chain Management- The Function of Food Safety and Branding in Perishable produce in Malaysia.

5. Certification of Crops and Crops Products

6. Sustainable Palm Oil Practices: Case Study of Golden Hope Plantations

7. The Role of Research and Development Strategies in Food Safety andGood Agricultural, Manufacturing and Distribution Practices in the Malaysian Palm oil Industry

8. Pesticides component of good agricultural practice

9. Standard for The Global Market: The Malaysian Perspective

10. Good Farm Practices Scheme (SKIM Amalan Ladang Ternakan; SALT)

11. Research and Development Associated With Good Agriculture Practices Towards High Quality and Safe Produce

12. Science Based Technology Contributions to Food Quality

13. Rapid Detection of Pesticide Residues

14. Understanding The Changing Consumer, Credence and Trust in Modern Food Supply

15. IT Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture

16. Indonesian Palm Oil Strategies

17. Farm Assured Products Coming to a Store near you……Current Developments and a few Predictions

to purchase Full Contents please contact qaplus@consultant.com

Palm Oil in the EU and the Relevance of Food Safety
by John Baker, Rabobank International, Singapore

Abstract

This presentation examines the importance of palm oil to the EU, the edible refining sector in this region and the relevance of food safety. Key trends and developments in the EU are explored including import trends, end uses for palm oil, a description of the industry structure and the evolving food consumption drivers at the retail level.

The core topic of food safety is then presented in the context of these trends and the implications for palm oil suppliers in South East Asia are the described in detail. The presentation also touches on the main tenets of EUREPGAP including potential implications this initiative and similar initiatives in other parts of the world will have for the global food chain.

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Abstract

There is no internationally accepted standard for auditors of food safety management systems. Rather than ‘best practice’ in food safety auditing, there is instead a variety of different practices and pathways by which auditors are ‘approved’ as qualified to perform a specific auditing task.

Current practices are subjective and arbitrary, and may in some instances provide a public health risk, or at least a risk to the integrity of the system, by aligning auditors with business or industry sectors for which they do not have either the skills and knowledge to apply auditing principles and practice, or the technical competence to understand the potential hazards. risks, and controls associated with a particular industry sector.

In summary, the existing systems seem to be based on reliance on:

• International standards which are generic, ambiguous, and open to interpretation;
  The organizational competence of Certification Bodies rather than individual auditor competence;
  Personnel Certification Bodies and Certification Bodies that may lack objectivity and impartiality;
  Provision of training rather than identification and application of competence.
  Auditors confused by the number of systems and different expectations of audit outcomes and auditor roles.

To ensure effective, professional auditors in the field, Accreditation Bodies, Personnel Certification Bodies, and System Owners must change the focus from provision of training per se to defining the competencies required by individual auditors in the workplace, and ensuring that the systems are in place to assure the objective assessment of prospective auditors against the required competencies. Fundamentally, system owners must answer the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the audit?
• What is the role of the auditor?
• What are the competencies (skills, knowledge and personal attributes) necessary to fulfill that role?
• How are the required competencies best acquired?
• How should competencies be assessed?

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Abstract

As one of the world’s leading plant-science companies, Bayer CropScience is committed to sustainable agriculture. This is achieved through Integrated Crop Management (ICM), which is centrally implemented in all work activities from research, through to development and marketing. Innovative solutions through continuous technical improvement are offered to the grower and include crop protection chemicals, seeds and agronomic services such as diagnostic systems and resistance management strategies. At a local level, implementation is by crop-oriented programmes and initiatives for sustainable production utilising our global network approach. Product stewardship, including safe use, is an integral part of ICM. The work has produced many success stories and some of the case studies are described in this paper including Bayer CropScience Malaysia’s initiative called IPSA: Improving Productivity with Smart Alternatives.

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Supply Chain Management- The Function of Food Safety and Branding in Perishable produce in Malaysia.
by Azizi Meor Ngah Chairman, FAMA, Malaysia

 Abstract

The fresh produce sub-sector of agriculture in Malaysia in recent times is gradually evolving into an ‘industrialization model’ where the constant flow of goods, information, cash and knowledge in both direction forms part and parcel of integrated value chain process. The use of ‘cool chain services’ is slowly gaining prominence especially in meeting the requirement of the multi-national hypermarket chains. A farmer through a cooperative organization needs to look beyond the farmgate in this knowledge-based era. He has to engage directly in post harvest activities like sorting, grading, labeling and packaging and possibly entering into distribution. With improved communication and logistics, the supply chain has in fact, becomes and the need to balance the attitude between the suppliers (cost driven) and the buyers (revenue driven) along the value chain is very critical in ultimately achieving a premise for a fair trade.

The recent spate of global outbreaks of food related diseases like Avian Flu, SARS, BSE and the frequent food poisoning and product recall, only points to the importance of food integrity and traceability. There is now a demand for a more transparent food crisis. The setting up of a dedicated supply chain management system to handle perishable produce seems to be the way forward in order to achieve the gold standard (Malaysia’s Best), competitiveness, value differentiation and finally market share. Branding is both expensive and risky, particularly in food related ventures. No amount of advertising and promotion can sustain the brand equity. The maintenance of a dedicated supply chain management system that incorporates temperature-controlled and shelf-life enhancement features would indeed be the only option to achieve a consistent high quality fresh produce and its timely delivery. Hence, a good supply chain management system is a function of commodity branding.

The dedicated supply chain also ensures that the risk of shrinkage or post harvest losses be kept to a minimum. This reduction in shrinkage would easily mitigate the increasing in cost to develop a dedicated supply chain system and its attending burden of having to comply with several food safety regulatory requirements. Notwithstanding, this additional cost would easily be absorbed even if the farm gate price were kept constant. In the nutshell, the new agriculture order is not only fraught with ‘technical barriers’ but is very much dictated by changing attitude, science and marketing.

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Certification of Crops and Crops Products
by Dato’ Hjh. Khamsiah bt. Hj. Muhammad Deputy Director General 1 Department of Agriculture Malaysia

Abstract

Recognising the importance and contribution of agriculture during the 1997 – 1998 economic crisis, the agricultural sector is now the new engine of growth. Towards this objective and in live with the national aspirations of being a significant net food producer and exporter in the year 2010, the food and agribusiness industries need to be transformed into a competitive sector producing safe and quality products that can transformed into a competitive in both the domestic and world markets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, through the department of Agriculture (DOA) has responded to the challenges in food safety and quality by establishing a Quality Assurance programme for primary producers by introducing farm Accreditation Scheme of Malaysia (SALM) in 2002 and Malaysian Organic Scheme (SOM) in 2003. SALM is a national programme developed to recognise and accredit commercial farms which adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), operating in an environmentally friendly way, sensitive to workers welfare and yielding products that are of quality, safe and suitable for consumption. The basic references used in developing SALM include the FAO Draft Document on Good Agricultural Practices, the EUREPGAP Protocols for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and the WHO?FAO CODEX Code of Hygienic Practice for Primary Production and Packaging of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. SOM is introduce with the objective of giving confidence to consumers that the organic food products purchased are actually organically produced. The scheme accords recognition to participants who cultivate crops according to the requirements outlined in the National Organic Standard, MS 1529. This standard on organic production is modelled after the FAO/WHO Codex Alimantarius Commission guidelines and IFOAM Organic Standard. A programme towards Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is currently implemented for entrepreneurs in the small scale food processing industry supervised by the DOA. This programme started in 2001 which involved training of enterprises are being staff and workers in Good Handling Practices (GHP) before the enterprises are being certified by Ministry of Health for HACCP. To date about 2,000 staffs, entrepreneurs and workers have been trained in Good Handling Practices and 247 premises has been identified to be upgraded for GHP in the 8 th Malaysian Plan.

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Abstract

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Abstract

Globalization has expanded the Malaysian palm oil export market to over 140 countries. Research and development strategies carried out by Malaysian Palm Oil Board continue to provide information to demonstrate proactively food safety with negligible risk in its global supply chains. By examining the factors of air, water, soil, agricultural input, raw material and human used in the production, processing and manufacturing operations, the sound knowledge of science and technology from the 209 MPOB innovations, when combined with business and application of the widely accepted rigorous and systematic method of assessing and controlling hazards through the food chain, has ensured that palm oil remains an agricultural product that is healthy and safe to the customer. Throughout the food supply chain the general principles of Hazard Analysis by Critical Control Points (HACCP) has been incorporated into food safety legislation, long before it was officially introduced, to check the hygiene requirement and to use it as a practical means of standardizing international food quality control and assurance practices. Every stage of preparation, processing, transport and distribution of palm oil palm is examined so that the final palm oil products for retailing to customers indeed are safe and nutritious. Effort made to communicate new R&D findings has been done to retain the credibility and trust of customers who will understand what lies behind such a food safety assurance scheme.
The value-add throughout the supply chain covers good agricultural practices (GAP), good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good distribution practices (GDP). Built into a database, the information gathered allows the effectiveness of the good practices in food safety management, detection of contaminants, toxicology, novel processing, packaging and application of risk management to be evaluated. The harmonization of these good practices towards standardization provides a high level of confidence to the operational entities and the customers. The auditors and assessors when benchmarked by accredited bodies that are internationally recognized the industry will attain integrity by their assessment. Knowledge that Malaysian palm oil products are produced to an agreed standard will further boost consumer’s confidence by making them even more acceptable by people the world over.

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Pesticides component of good agricultural practice
by Shamsiah Muhammad Pesticides Control Division Department of Agriculture Malaysia

Abstract

The significance of pesticides in Good Agricultural Practices is highlighted in this presentation. The scope of the presentation covers principles of pest management, advice on use of pesticides, selection of pesticides, preparation of pesticide mixtures, application of pesticides, and safety of pesticides, preparation of testing of agricultural produce, post harvest treatment and disposal of empty pesticide containers. Specific rules and procedures regarding each of these categories are elaborated and must be complied by parties if they are interested in certification (e.g. EUREPGAP Certification) of their farms.

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Standard for The Global Market: The Malaysian Perspective
by Ms. Mariani Mohammed, Director-General, Department of Standards Malaysia

Abstract

This paper starts by examining the relationship between standards and trade through the provisions of WTO, especially with regard to the agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). By aligning Malaysian Standards to international standards, we are aligning our standards to those countries that are also signatories to the WTO and had also adopted the international standards. In order to influence international standards favourably towards Malaysia, active participation international organizations related to standards and trade is critical. The paper briefly highlights developments currently taking place in international standardization, especially in relation to ISO and CAG, mentioning several standards of significance. At the national level, the ISC for food and Agriculture has been responsible for the development of 450 Malaysia Standards, ranging from specifications to codes of good agricultural practices. A study, intended to both examine the current status with regard to the use of standards in Malaysia and also to provide information on the future needs of the stakeholders, has been undertaken. Comparison with other selected national standards bodies indicated that Malaysia ranks the highest in terms of the percentage of published standards for food, beverages, agriculture and several others. The study findings also indicated several recommendations that can be taken up.

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Good Farm Practices Scheme (SKIM Amalan Ladang Ternakan; SALT)  
by Dr. Gulam Shah bin Fazal Din Senior Veterinary Officer Epidemiology and Veterinary Division Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia

Abstract

The Good Farm Practices Scheme based on healthy livestock managed with good practice to produce quality livestock and safe for consumption. The criterion for the certification of Good Farm Practices Scheme is based on ‘Good Animal Husbandry Practice’ (GAHP), Animal Health Management, Bio-security, good infrastructure and prudent use of drugs. The implementation of good Farm Practices Scheme is to promote high management standard for livestock and sanitary practices to ensure safe food produced from livestock. This scheme implementation covers all types of livestock such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, broiler chicken, layer chicken, breeder chicken, goat, sheep and pig.

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Research and Development Associated with Good Agriculture Practices Towards High Quality and Safe Produce  
by Dr. Abdul Shukor Abdul Rahman Deputy Director General (Research) Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Serdang, Selangor

Abstract

The global trade liberalization requires all producing countries to emphasize quality as one of the strategies to be competitive in the world market. Food production should conform to good agricultural practices and good manufacturing practices. This paper provides some of the highlights on research and development associated with good agricultural practices of horticultural produce conducted in Malaysia. The discussion covers the aspects of production and postharvest systems.The production system includes planting materials, soil and substrate management, fertilizer, irrigation, crop protection and waste management. A postharvest system comprises harvesting, packinghouse operations, storage, transportation, grading and standardization.

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Science Based Technology Contributions to Food Quality
by Romke Wustman, Applied Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Chain managementOur fields of research are best characterized by a chain approach:Production at field level Harvest Cold storage Logistics MarketingEach part of the chain has to contribute to food safety. Science based technologyA number of examples of science based technology implemented at farm level will be presented. Some examples:

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Rapid Detection of Pesticide Residues
by 1Dr Zamri Ishak , Salmah Abdul Aziz and 2Dr W. Shermal Perera
1Biotechnology Research Centre, MARDI. P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur.
2BioFacture Sdn Bhd, 16-A, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur .

Abstract

Pesticide levels in the vegetable that we eat are currently not regulated. In fact, the biotech research team in MARDI found high levels of pesticides in vegetable that had been harvested several days after spraying. The current method of testing pesticides in vegetables are performed by research institutes using Gas Chromotograpy (GC) which takes 4 to 5 days to perform and is very expensive. The scientists at MARDI have developed a novel rapid screening kit that allows the detection of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticide residues in vegetables and plants. OP and carbamate insecticides are found in more than 50 commonly used pesticides. The method is based on sol-gel encapsulation of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase which is crystallised and placed in the disposable cuvette. In the absences of OP, the enzyme converts the substrate added to give a dark yellow colouration. However, in the presence of a specific concentration of OP or higher the enzyme is blocked or inhibited which reduces the yellow colouration. Thus, the decrease in yellow coloration indicates the presence of pesticide residues. The change in the coloration can be detected by eye or accurately quantified using a range of standards and spectrophotometry. The detection kit has been standardised with three types of OP based pesticides i.e. dichlorvos (class I-highly toxic and hazardous compound), chlorpyrifos and fenitrothion (class II – slightly toxic compounds). The level of detection for the three types of OP pesticides i.e dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos and fenitrothion were calibrated between the range of 0.1-1.0 ppm, 20 – 100 ppm and 100-1000 ppm, respectively. Mimicry studies with samples that were spiked with the different OP’s showed a reproducible standard deviation (SD) of 2.44%. Furthermore, on going stability studies indicated that the entrapped enzyme in the sol-gel is active for a six months period at 4 oC. In addition, the gel can be mass produced, cheap and requires 30min to perform hence, has a potential to be used as rapid disposable biosensor test. We are also in the process of developing this test for detecting pesticide in oil palm and processed food. In conclusion, we believe that this rapid screening biosensor test is able to detect and quantitate a majority of pesticide residues and can be used by regulatory bodies and farmers, and ultimately the general public to monitor pesticides in vegetables. Currently, the test kit can be purchased for the use in laboratories.

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Understanding The Changing Consumer, Credence and Trust in Modern Food Supply
by W Paul Davies and Richard N. Baines, Royal Agricultural College

Abstract

Global food systems have been revolutionised. Market ‘pull’ rather than production ‘push’ now drive food chains and, amongst the major drivers for change, consumer demand is increasingly dominant. Consumer demands, preferences, their fears and politics govern market opportunities – and provide the real power for change in today’s agri-food industry. ‘The customer is (and remains) king’ – but who is the real customer? Customers (including consumers) beyond the ‘farm gate’ will increasingly ‘pull’ preferred products off-farm, and, in doing so, progressively govern the nature of future farming systems. Most of us claim to be ‘health-conscious’ and believe, increasingly, that our health; quality of life and longevity are significantly influenced by the food we eat. Resulting in intense interest in health attributes and the risks associated with food. Much of this focus, however, may just be influenced by the desire to ‘look good’ – rather than health per se. But food purchases by modern consumers is increasingly influenced by nutritional and health properties (intrinsic attributes) and, as incomes and education standards improve in particular, the nature of food production systems (extrinsic properties). Some of these are difficult to verify at purchase, and have to be taken on trust in the main (as credence values). Modern affluent consumers are paying more and more attention to such credence attributes as environmental protection; animal welfare and social considerations of food production on-farm. Increasing market access rather than price premiums characterises this growing market, but differentiation can provide ‘added value’ opportunities. The concept of food integrity now embraces not only food safety and quality assurance but also credence attributes. Extrinsic properties need to be properly (and better) communicated to consumers. Research into environmental consciousness and food purchase is limited. Are these ‘green consumers’ increasingly urban? Can increasing ‘credence’ demand strengthen trust between consumers and producers - and result in more ‘consumer-friendly farming’- and can this improve urban-rural understanding? Will it encourage (and strengthen) alternative and shorter marketing channels (such as Farmers’ Markets?). Are current assurance schemes the best basis for building consumer confidence? Do we really know what is being ‘sold’ to us – and what competing QA schemes promise? Do current QA schemes build or harm consumer trust? Is the proliferation of competing QA schemes damaging consumer relationships? Such queries leads us to one fundamental question -which are the best ways forward for future agri-food business?

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IT Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture
by Ms. Cecilia Zugaib International Sales Manager Consult Food Safety, Intact Consult GmbH, Austria. Intact Consult - Software applications for Traceability from ‘field to fork’ in agriculture

Intact Consult GmbH is specialized in development, design and implementation of integrated management systems in the food sector, guaranteeing the traceability in all phases of the food chain. Intact is an associate member of EUREPGAP. In the past 3 years, Intact has developed a very solid product family, which includes software solutions for all parties involved in the agricultural sector: farmers, marketers, suppliers, vets, laboratories, processors, traders, retailers as well as certification bodies. The software solutions link all relevant parties together and allow active data input into the program by the users. This leads to a safe, up-to-date and centralised system instead of an isolated solution. From our range of software solutions, we would like to mention 3: NutriWeb, ControlNet EUREPGAP and CN.enterprise NutriWeb™ is an internet agriculture documentation system which allows the precise recording of the production process of the food. The exact route of any agricultural product can be traced back online, which guarantees total lucidity and helps to win back customer's confidence in food. ControlNet™.EUREPGAP is an Audit Management System ideally suited for the administration and documentation of internal audits of the PMOs. With this online tool the auditors can be coordinated and administrated. Audit results can be recorded on site which is saving costs and is totally transparent at the same time. CN.enterprise is a management system for inspection and certification bodies, in which they can achieve the complete process of inspecting and certifying digitally. Some of the interesting features are the checklist designer, where different standards can be integrated in only one list, an offline version, multilingualism, etc. This is a perfect tool for certification bodies with offices in many countries. With CN.enterprise efficiency and flexibility are guaranteed.

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Indonesian Palm Oil Strategies
by Dr. Rosediana Suharto Chairperson in Charge of Indonesian Palm Oil Committee

Abstract

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Farm Assured Products Coming to a Store near you……Current Developments and a few Predictions
by Mr.Terry Babbs Head of International, TESCO, UK

Abstract

- Tesco faces a global challenge, solutions needed for all operating Companies
- Brief reminder on Tesco process and policy, around the world
- Foundations of our approach to standards, reminder of our own expectations, what is and isn’t acceptable, and what it means
- How Third parties are allowed into our approach
- A summary of the successes for our Supply Chain
- A summary of our approach to Eurepgap, both for fruit and vegetable and for livestock and commodities
- GFSI agenda, our support and involvement in encouraging retailers around the world to accept a harmonised approach
- Tesco vision: simple clear rules, competent Third parties, close management, improving standards, happy customers.

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