Focus groups and working groups
Environmental Sustainability Working Group
The main task of the Environmental Sustainability Working Group is to develop this environmental sustainability solution ready for launch in 2025.
Purpose and structure
Environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the farming industry.
GLOBALG.A.P.’s holistic flagship standard, Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), already includes core requirements for various topics relating to environmental sustainability. However, some stakeholders want to go the extra mile to demonstrate their commitment to this crucial topic. The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat will therefore offer a farm assurance solution to meet this need.
The main task of the Environmental Sustainability Working Group is to develop this environmental sustainability solution ready for launch in 2025. The form of the solution – an add-on or stand-alone standard – has not yet been decided.
The working group will also explore how the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat can further embrace environmental sustainability while observing the principle of avoiding duplication at farm level in terms of certification, harmonization with existing sustainability programs, and the cost-effective adoption of good agricultural practices.
Further details can be found in the terms of reference.
Chairperson:
Nigel Thorgrimsson (AgFood Assist)
Vice-chairpersons:
Kathleen Heinzel (Lidl) representing Retailers/Food service
Stefanie Vermaesen (Nature's Pride) representing Producers/Suppliers
GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat representative:
Rene Capote
Indicative development timeline
Concept development and initial drafting
First round of public consultation (September–October)
Review and integration of feedback
Second round of public consultation
Review and integration of feedback
Third round of public consultation
Review and integration of feedback
Finalization of documents
Field trials
Pre-launch preparations
Launch of the environmental sustainability solution
Environmental Sustainability Working Group members
Britt Hammer
Organization
EDEKA ZENTRALE Stiftung & Co. KGCountry
GermanyActive since
Muhammad Shahbaz
Organization
QA Global GroupCountry
Saudia ArabiaActive since
Richard Fauconnier
Organization
Consentio Platform S.LCountry
SpainActive since
Juan Perez Zamarron
Organization
CoexphalCountry
SpainActive since
2023John Paap
Organization
Jac. Vandenberg Inc.Country
United States of AmericaActive since
Gina Colfer
Organization
Wilbur-Ellis AgricultureCountry
United States of AmericaActive since
Garland Perkins
Organization
Oppenheimer GroupCountry
CanadaActive since
Andrin Dietziker
Organization
Coop GenossenschaftCountry
SwitzerlandActive since
2023Hanine Idelbi
Organization
CNIPTCountry
FranceActive since
2023Kieran Ficken
Organization
Measure to ImproveCountry
United States of AmericaActive since
Lilly Da Gama
Organization
WWF UKCountry
United KingdomActive since
Paul Marsh
Organization
WWF UKCountry
United KingdomActive since
Jake Richards
Organization
Sainsbury's Supermarkets LtdCountry
United KingdomActive since
Floren Slob
Organization
Greenyard NVCountry
BelgiumActive since
Sonny P. Marsh
Organization
Naturipe Berry GrowersCountry
United States of AmericaActive since
Contact us
For questions about the focus groups, please contact us at committees@globalgap.org.