Grant for NC Farmers to Extend to International Markets

GLOBALGAP certification project to provide competitive edge to North Carolina produce exporters in Europe and other international markets.

January 4, 2008

EDGECOMBE COUNTY NC NEWS -- The Golden LEAF Foundation has awarded a $60,000 grant to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) to fund the GLOBAL Good Agricultural Practices certification process for eligible farmers. GLOBALGAP certification, formerly know as EUREGAP certification, is the standard used to determine if a supplier is qualified to sell to most major European grocery chains as well as a base for other export certifications around the world. The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit corporation created to receive one-half of the funds coming to North Carolina from the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers.

The NCDA&CS goal for the GLOBALGAP certification project is to provide a competitive edge to North Carolina produce exporters in Europe and other international markets. GLOBALGAP is a certification adopted by a group of European retailers. In addition, the GLOBALGAP certification uses a different process than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Good Agricultural Practices in certification, therefore, USDA GAP-certified farmers are not automatically GLOBALGAP-certified.

Valeria Lee, president of the Golden LEAF Foundation said, "Golden LEAF is pleased to help North Carolina farmers become more competitive in today's global marketplace. Providing opportunity for growth is paramount to the success of a competitive agriculture community."

The 2008 crop-year award is for produce crops, and the number of paid certifications is limited. NCDA&CS will begin accepting applications for GLOBALGAP certification immediately, with the deadline for collection on February 29, 2008. Participants will be selected based on a number of factors, including export potential.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said, "The grant will benefit North Carolina growers who are interested in extending their sales to international markets. Long term, we expect to see a boost in exports of N.C. agricultural products. I hope that farmers will apply early to take advantage of this one-time opportunity for free certification."

Farmers interested in exporting should contact the NCDA&CS to initiate the pre-certification process. A GLOBALGAP auditor will conduct an unofficial audit of the candidate's operations. The feedback from the audit will help the candidate know what is specifically needed to become GLOBALGAP-certified. All information will remain confidential between the farmer and auditor. For more information, call Peter Thornton, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assistant director for international marketing, at (919) 733-7912.