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
Over 1,100 farms
covering almost 100,000 hectares 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
Over 1,100 farms
covering almost 100,000 hectares 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 the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat and the World Banana Forum (WBF) in 2018.
Core topics in the TR4 Biosecurity Add-on for Bananas v1 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 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 control points and compliance criteria (CPCCs). CPCCs are graded in two levels: Major Must and Recommendation.
Control points
Fundamentals that set the foundation of a GLOBALG.A.P. requirement
Written in question form
Compliance criteria
Methods that producers can use to demonstrate a control point to be true
Evidence required for demonstrating 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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