Globalgap

Question:

1) Is it possible for a farmer of Farmer Group who is certified under Option 2, to receive a certificate under Option 1 when he leaves the Farmer Group? 2) Will the Farmer Group or the farmer expect sanctions or consequences from EUREPGAP? 3) Does the farmer need to respect a specific time ("Latency") before he can get or ask for an individual certificate (Opt.1)? Or is it possible to switch from Option 2 to Option 1 easily?

Answer:

To Question 1) Yes, he can become certified Option 1 once he leaves the Option 2. To Question 2) No, no sanctions. He is only not allowed to have 2 certificates simultaneously, i.e. Option 1 and Option 2. To Question 3) The farmer will have to undergo an inspection. The time it takes for that registration and inspection will be the time needed, no more. The farmer leaving a Farmer Group must comply with contractual obligations he has committed to with the farmer Group. The farmer must of course respect any contract that he has with the group, e.g. EUREPGAP ask for a one-year contract between the group and the farmer.