Add-on to core solution
TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas outlines a risk mitigation plan for minimizing the spread of the Tropical Race 4 fungus, also known as Foc TR4, – one of the most destructive diseases in banana and plantain crops – to, within, and from farms with Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) certification.
The GLOBALG.A.P. add-on for tackling Fusarium wilt
What is the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas?
Tropical Race 4 fungus, also known as Foc TR4, is the name given to the strain of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. It is one of the most destructive diseases in banana and plantain crops worldwide, threatening millions of producers who rely on these crops for their subsistence. With effective treatments yet to be discovered, preventative measures are currently the only practical way of containing the disease and protecting the livelihoods of banana and plantain producers. The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas outlines a risk mitigation plan for minimizing the spread of Foc TR4, and the add-on can be implemented and combined with Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) for fruit and vegetables.
TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas at a glance
Mitigates the risks
of the highly destructive Foc TR4, which threatens livelihoods as well as the long-term viability of the sector
Widespread implementation
of the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan can slow or prevent mass spreading of Foc TR4 between farms and countries
Appropriate for a wide range
of farm sizes, including smallholders, and is implemented and audited in combination with IFA
Covers key topics
including training and pathogen awareness, waste and soil management, planting material, and machinery
Results in a letter of conformance
that acts as evidence of the responsible farming practices required by many buyers
Almost 1,000 farms
covering 100,000 hectares of production have already implemented the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan
Mitigates the risks
of the highly destructive Foc TR4, which threatens livelihoods as well as the long-term viability of the sector
Widespread implementation
of the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan can slow or prevent mass spreading of Foc TR4 between farms and countries
Appropriate for a wide range
of farm sizes, including smallholders, and is implemented and audited in combination with IFA
Covers key topics
including training and pathogen awareness, waste and soil management, planting material, and machinery
Results in a letter of conformance
that acts as evidence of the responsible farming practices required by many buyers
Almost 1,000 farms
covering 100,000 hectares of production have already implemented the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan
Mitigates the risks
of the highly destructive Foc TR4, which threatens livelihoods as well as the long-term viability of the sector
Widespread implementation
of the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan can slow or prevent mass spreading of Foc TR4 between farms and countries
Appropriate for a wide range
of farm sizes, including smallholders, and is implemented and audited in combination with IFA
Covers key topics
including training and pathogen awareness, waste and soil management, planting material, and machinery
Results in a letter of conformance
that acts as evidence of the responsible farming practices required by many buyers
Almost 1,000 farms
covering 100,000 hectares of production have already implemented the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan
Mitigates the risks
of the highly destructive Foc TR4, which threatens livelihoods as well as the long-term viability of the sector
Covers key topics
including training and pathogen awareness, waste and soil management, planting material, and machinery
Widespread implementation
of the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan can slow or prevent mass spreading of Foc TR4 between farms and countries
Results in a letter of conformance
that acts as evidence of the responsible farming practices required by many buyers
Appropriate for a wide range
of farm sizes, including smallholders, and is implemented and audited in combination with IFA
Almost 1,000 farms
covering 100,000 hectares of production have already implemented the Foc TR4 risk mitigation plan
Which topics does the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas address?
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas was the result of a global action plan presented by GLOBALG.A.P. and the World Banana Forum (WBF) in 2018.
Core topics in the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas include:
Understanding the threat/Pathogen awareness
Training and awareness-raising activities
Farm management and risk assessment
People present on the farm and people in transit in the proximity of the farm
Waste, water, and soil management
Wildlife management and conservation plan
Tool, equipment, and machinery management
Natural disaster management plan
Planting material
Monitoring and identification of affected plants
Foc TR4 suppression plan (for farms where Foc TR4 is already present)
Discover how the add-on helps you address the challenge of Foc TR4.
Who should use the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas?
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is applicable for banana and plantain farms worldwide and covers both producers who are trying to prevent the introduction of Foc TR4 and farms where the pathogen is already present.
The add-on is intended for banana or plantain producers who are already certified to IFA for fruit and vegetables. For producers who are not yet registered in the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system, the TR4 Biosecurity Standard offers the same risk mitigation plan but in a format which can be implemented independently from other GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
The add-on is available for producers of all sizes, from smallholders to large producer groups. Producers can get audited in any country where a GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification body (CB) conducts audits.
How does the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas work?
Compliance with the add-on requirements is audited annually by an accredited and independent third-party CB together with the annual IFA audit (or an audit against a benchmarked scheme/checklist).
Producers can choose from any GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB active in the relevant country – although the same CB which conducts the IFA audit must also conduct the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas audit.
A successful CB audit results in a letter of conformance valid for one year.
The add-on is composed of principles and criteria (P&Cs). P&Cs are graded in two levels: Major Must and Recommendation.
Principles
Fundamentals that set the foundation of a GLOBALG.A.P. requirement
Written in statement form
Describe the outcome to be achieved in the corresponding criteria
Criteria
Methods that producers can use to demonstrate a principle to be true
Compliance can be demonstrated in different ways, e.g., data, record of procedure
Evidence must demonstrate that the outcome is achieved
Read more about the audit process and add-on requirements.
How is conformance status verified?
Every producer registered in the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system is assigned a 13-digit GLOBALG.A.P. identification number (e.g., a GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN)). This number allows real-time verification of conformance status in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems, upholding our rigorous transparency requirements throughout the supply chain.
Producers can control data access and privacy rights for audit reports, and the reports are not shared publicly or with third parties. This process is handled via your chosen CB.
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Protecting the interests of banana and plantain producers
Why choose the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas?
The livelihoods of banana and plantain producers – and the long-term security of the sector – depend on preventing the spread of the Tropical Race 4 fungus, also known as Foc TR4. The TR4 Biosecurity Add-for Bananas provides a key tool for tackling the destructive fungus.
Which industry challenges does the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas address?
The social consequences of Foc TR4 are serious: Bananas and plantains are an important source of food, employment, and income in many tropical countries. The wider spread of Foc TR4 throughout the world would affect millions of producers that rely on banana/plantain cultivation for their livelihoods.
Like all other soilborne Foc strains, Foc TR4 cannot be controlled using fungicides and cannot be eradicated from soil using fumigants. The optimal, economically available preventive measure is quarantine, preventing the transfer of affected land or plant material from infected to Foc TR4-free areas.
The capacity of Foc TR4 to survive in the soil for decades, along with its lethal impact and wide host range, are among the main reasons it was ranked as the greatest threat to banana production by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is a key tool for preventing the spread of the pathogen to/within/from banana and plantain farms and, most importantly, it helps raise awareness about the seriousness of the disease on a global scale.
The add-on is available to producers who have already achieved Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) certification, offering a tool with which local phytosanitary authorities, national plant protection organizations, and other value chain stakeholders can recognize compliant producers.
Follow our five steps to the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas to get started today.
Call to action to “Save the Banana”
In November 2018, GLOBALG.A.P. and the World Banana Forum (WBF) presented a global action plan to save bananas from the threat of Foc TR4 at the GLOBALG.A.P. SUMMIT in Lima, Peru.
The first step was to create a GLOBALG.A.P. add-on for banana producers which outlines a risk mitigation plan for producers who have already achieved IFA certification. This add-on then formed the basis for the stand-alone TR4 Biosecurity Standard, which was launched in July 2023.
The following signatories were the first to commit to fighting the highly dangerous pathogen:
TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas in numbers (as of 31/12/2023)
995
producers under assessment
9
countries with assessed production
99,458
hectares of assessed production
995
producers under assessment
9
countries with assessed production
99,458
hectares of assessed production
995
producers under assessment
9
countries with assessed production
99,458
hectares of assessed production
995
producers under assessment
9
countries with assessed production
99,458
hectares of assessed production
What are the benefits for producers?
Increase understanding of Foc TR4 and the risks it poses.
Access a risk mitigation plan which can prevent the introduction and/or further spread of the Foc TR4 pathogen to, within, or from farms.
Protect crops from Fusarium wilt and minimize threats to food security and the livelihoods of farming communities.
Save costs by verifying implementation of the risk mitigation plan in a combined audit with IFA.
Demonstrate implementation of the risk mitigation plan to buyers through a letter of conformance from a third-party CB.
What are the benefits for supply chain stakeholders?
Help raise awareness about the severity of the Foc TR4 pathogen among suppliers and ensure that they take action against this threat.
Develop a network of reliable producers who are committed to adopting safer and more responsible farming processes.
Source from a growing pool of local and regional producers who implement a risk mitigation plan for Foc TR4, and demonstrate your own commitment to the long-term viability of the sector.
Benefit from transparency through real-time validation of conformance via the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems.
Maintaining trust in GLOBALG.A.P. certification
The GLOBALG.A.P. Integrity Program was founded in 2008 as the first of its kind in food certification. Designed to ensure the consistent delivery and implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons worldwide, the program monitors and assesses all aspects of the third-party certification process.
Which solutions can be combined with the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas?
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is designed to be paired with IFA for fruit and vegetables. Audits are conducted simultaneously, allowing producers to flexibly and efficiently extend their certification scope through a single audit.
Learn more about GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions.
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Ready to get started?
Use our Smart Checklist Builder to easily understand which GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions are recommended for your production practices and generate a personalized checklist for your self-assessment.
Your guide to implementation
How to prepare for a TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas audit
Learn more about the key documents and fee structure of the TR4 Biosecurity Add-On for Bananas. Follow our five steps to the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas for an overview of the audit process, and find a GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification body (CB) in your area to get started.
Implementation and CB audit process
How does the CB audit process work?
Designed to complement existing Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA)certification, compliance with the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on requirements is audited annually together with the IFA audit by accredited and independent third-party CBs.
Producers can choose from any GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB active in the relevant country – although the same CB which conducts the IFA audit must also conduct the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas audit.
A successful CB audit results in a letter of conformance valid for one year.
The CB is responsible for uploading the audit report and maintaining the accuracy of producer data in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems.
Producers will be audited annually by a CB as part of the renewal process.
Which documents are required?
General rules specifications: Rules that define how the audit process works, from the scope of the add-on to the audit requirements.
Principles and criteria (P&Cs): Principles are the fundamental requirements for each add-on. They describe the outcome to achieve and are accompanied by corresponding criteria that detail the various ways in which a producer can demonstrate compliance.
Checklist: The full list of CPCCs as used by CB auditors, enabling producers to conduct a self-assessment in preparation for the CB audit.
Which version of the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is currently valid?
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is currently available in version 2.
V2 was published in August 2024 and must be combined with IFA v6 Smart/GFS.
The FAQ contains more information on documents, the renewal process, and more.
What are the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas requirements?
Checklist principles and criterias are all graded as Major Must.
To pass a CB audit, producers must comply with 100% of the Major Musts.
Corrective actions must be proposed for all non-compliances and submitted to the CB within the specified period.
Non-compliances must then be verified as corrected and compliant by the CB before a letter of conformance can be issued.
How much does a TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas audit cost?
Each farm is unique, and the total audit costs depend on a combination of factors such as farm size, number of sites, location, necessary preparation measures (such as establishing new procedures), and more. The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas contains three cost elements:
Implementation costs: Incurred by the producer to prepare for the CB audit – includes the IFA audit
CB service fees: Determined and invoiced by the CB to cover audit time and travel costs – includes the IFA audit
GLOBALG.A.P. registration and assessment license fees: Calculated based on farm size and invoiced by the CB in addition to the fee for the IFA audit
The GLOBALG.A.P. fee table contains full information on the fee structure for each standard and add-on.
Five steps to the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas
You will need the GLOBALG.A.P. general regulations, TR4 general rules, the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas principles and criteria, and the guidelines and supporting documents. All of the required documents are available online, for free, and in multiple languages. They are linked below and can also be found in the GLOBALG.A.P. document center.
Use the documents to guide the implementation of the standard requirements, and then
conduct a self-assessment using the checklist. Our worldwide network of Registered Trainers
can also provide assistance during audit preparations.
Search the list of GLOBALG.A.P. approved CBs by region, country, scope, and status. Contact the CB of your choice and request an audit. Note that the GLOBALG.A.P. fee table does not cover CB service fees such as audit time or travel costs to your site.
The CB will perform the on-site audit and upload the results to Audit Online Hub. Any non-compliances which are detected during the audit must be corrected within the specified period and verified by the CB before a letter of conformance can be issued.
Once all requirements are met and verified by the CB, they will issue your TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas letter of conformance. Your conformance status is then publicly visible in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems for transparency in the market.
Key documents
The three most relevant documents are linked below. Click ‘view more’ to see further related documents. Remember to always check with your CB that you have all necessary documents prior to audit.
TR4 Biosecurity add-on
Guidelines and supporting documents
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Guidelines and supporting documents
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Guidelines and supporting documents are developed by the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat to help producers understand the terminology, legal requirements, and farm-level implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons.
TR4 Biosecurity add-on
Rules and regulations
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Rules and regulations
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Rules and regulations define how a specific standard must be implemented – from the certification scope to the audit requirements for certification bodies.
TR4 Biosecurity add-on
Principles and criteria (P&Cs) (CPCCs)
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Principles and criteria (P&Cs) (CPCCs)
V2
English | Last updated: 29/11/2024
Principles and criteria are a complete list of the requirements for a given standard or add-on. The foundational requirements each detail an outcome that must be achieved, and the corresponding ways in which compliance can be demonstrated.
GLOBALG.A.P. approved CBs
The list of GLOBALG.A.P. approved CBs can be filtered by region, country, scope, and status. Click a CB to find more information and contact details.
If you do not filter your search, or filter only according to region and/or country, your search results will also show CBs that offer certification against benchmarked schemes, but which may not have approval for any GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons.
Capacity building
Need assistance with the certification process? Our capacity-building program offers a range of options for training, consultation, and more!
Upcoming events
24 Apr
2025
GLOBALG.A.P. and Stronger Together present free webinar
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Event format: Virtual
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2025
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Location: Salinas, California
Event type: All events
Event format: On-site
A brief history of the GLOBALG.A.P. TR4 Biosecurity for Bananas solutions
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas version 1 is published in May 2017 following collaboration with sector stakeholders and the World Banana Forum (WBF).
In November 2018, the global action plan to save bananas from the threat of the Tropical Race 4 fungus, also known as Foc TR4, is announced at the GLOBALG.A.P. SUMMIT in Lima, Peru. The action plan is signed by 11 major international retailers and supply chain stakeholders.
Tesco (UK) becomes the first retailer to require their banana suppliers to implement the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas. The first confirmed case of Foc TR4 is identified in Colombia. By the end of 2019, there are 29 producers in four countries with assessed production processes.
By the end of 2020, the number of assessed producers rises sharply to 200, marking an increase of over 580% on the previous year. Seven countries now have producers with assessed production processes.
The first occurrence of Foc TR4 in Peru is confirmed. Between January and May, the area of farmland covered by the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas increases by 44%, to a total of 48,000 hectares. By the end of the 2021, there are 884 producers in eight countries with assessed production processes.
The development of the TR4 Biosecurity Standard begins – extending the scope of the risk mitigation plan to banana and plantain producers without existing GLOBALG.A.P. certification. By the end of 2022, there are 961 producers in nine countries with assessed production processes.
The stand-alone TR4 Biosecurity Standard is published in July 2023. By the end of 2023, there are 995 producers in 9 countries with assessed production practices. The total area covered by the add-on is nearly 99,500 hectares.
V2 of the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is published in August 2024.
FAQ
The TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas is currently available in version 2. It was published in August 2024 and can be combined with IFA v6 Smart/GFS.
Each farm is unique, and the total audit costs depend on a combination of factors (such as size, location, existing policies and processes, etc.). The invoice from your certification body (CB) will include service fees to cover expenditures (determined by the CB) and the GLOBALG.A.P. registration and assessment license fee.
Download the GLOBALG.A.P. fee table to learn more.
TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas documents are currently only available in English.
All documents are located in the GLOBALG.A.P. document center. More languages are added based on demand – please contact us with requests.
Compliance with the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas requirements is audited annually. The audit must take place within the validity period of the current letter of conformance in order for you to retain your conformance status. Contact your certification body (CB) or find a GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB to request an audit.
The add-on cannot be implemented independently of IFA, but our TR4 Biosecurity Standard is designed to be used separately and requires no prior certification.
Technical questions can be addressed to standard_support@globalgap.org. Your query will be forwarded to the relevant technical expert.
The GLOBALG.A.P. Academy offers public trainings on our portfolio of smart farm assurance solutions, while our worldwide network of Registered Trainers offers authorized trainings and other services. See the GLOBALG.A.P. Academy course catalog or find a Registered Trainer for more information.
The CB auditor requirements are detailed in the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas general rules specifications.
Learn more about how to become a GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB or extend your auditing scope.
No, benchmarking is not available for this add-on.
GLOBALG.A.P. trademarks may be used in a strictly B2B context and must be accompanied by a GLOBALG.A.P. identification number (e.g., the producer’s GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN)) or a QR code to a producer’s conformance status in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems.
Download the GLOBALG.A.P. trademarks use: policy and guidelines and GLOBALG.A.P. trademarks use: FAQ documents for comprehensive information on rules and use cases.
Contact us
For technical/interpretation questions, please contact us at standard_support@globalgap.org.
For questions about the audit process or GLOBALG.A.P. IT platform, please contact us at customer_support@globalgap.org.