TOUR 2015 United States - organized by United Fresh Produce Association
11 June 2015, USA, Chicago
Following the June 8-10
United Fresh Produce Association’s annual
convention in Chicago, IL, USA, GLOBALG.A.P., in partnership with United Fresh, held its
first TOUR stop in North America in several years. The 4-hour, June 11 industry conference attended
by 85 people was themed “The Sense and Nonsense of Farm Certification”, and brought together
leading government, retailer, producer and NGO representatives for an informative and lively debate
on current topics.
The conference began with welcome addresses from Tom Stenzel, United Fresh’s President and CEO,
and GLOBALG.A.P. CEO Dr. Kristian Moeller. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Deputy
Commissioner, Michael Taylor, delivered the keynote speech on the FDA’s view of the role of on-farm
audits in the coming era of the landmark FSMA legislation. The FSMA rules will bring sweeping
changes to the USA agricultural market and represent the most significant changes in federal
farming policy since the 1930s.
Mr. Taylor reported that the FDA was on schedule to finalize the Produce Safety Rules in
October. He indicated that private sector audits play a vital role in public food safety, and
complement government regulations and inspections.
“The Sense and Nonsense of Farm Certification”
United Fresh and GLOBALG.A.P. invite the fresh produce industry to challenge the business case
of the certification industry.
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Registration
9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Welcome
Kristian Moeller, President, GLOBALG.A.P. North America
Tom Stenzel, CEO, United Fresh Produce Association
9:10 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Address: The Role of Audits
This year, U.S. FDA will finalize food safety rules for growers and on-farm
packers, will require fresh produce imports to be held to the same standards, and will establish
requirements for government and private sector audit organizations to perform consulting and
regulatory audits of foreign operations. This presentation will provide insight into the FDA’s
perspective on the role of audits at the farm in regulatory compliance and in assuring safe food
practices.
Speaker: Michael Taylor, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Session 1: Food Safety Harmonization – 6 Years Later
In 2009, the U.S. produce industry undertook harmonization of on-farm food safety
standards in an effort to reduce the audit burden for suppliers and buyers, without sacrificing
food safety. Produce buyers and growers will explore their progress over the past six years in an
open discussion, with audience perspectives, of whether the goal has been already achieved or
whether – and what – obstacles remain standing in the way of achievement.
Moderator: David Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association
Panel Members:
Bill Pool, Wegmans
Craig Wilson, Costco
Fred Finney, Moreland Fruit Farm
Kerry Bridges, Walmart
Peter Hill, Alpine Fresh
Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Exchange
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session 2: Beyond Food Safety
The audit burden at the farm has grown beyond food safety to include
sustainability, worker welfare and other non-food safety objectives. Attendees will explore the
genesis of the environmental and social standards and their related audits in this session – who is
choosing them and why. Produce buyers and consumer representatives will discuss their expectations
at the farm and of audits conducted – is there an opportunity for harmonization?
Moderators:
Robert L Denny II, Environmental Policy & Risk Reduction Consultant
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Session 3: Synopsis and Outlook:Is This The Best We Can Do Or Is There A Different Way?
Given the complexity and competitive nature of the emerging landscape of standards
and requirements, and following the discussions of the day, standard owners will be challenged to
defend the current state of the third party verification industry, or to consider how it can be
improved for the benefit of all.
Moderators:
David Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association
Robert L Denny II, Environmental Policy & Risk Reduction Consultant
Panel Members:
Ken Petersen, U.S. Departement of Agriculture - AMS
