Question & AnswerQ&A (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 30)
The primary objective is to facilitate the adoption of sustainable farming practices ensuring food safety, produce quality, environmental protection, and workers welfare, while providing access to ASEAN and other foreign markets, empowering farmers, and enabling consumers to buy safe and quality produce.
Eligible applicants include individual growers, small-holder groups such as cooperatives, government, academic and research demonstration farms, corporate farms, and Produce Marketing Organizations (PMOs) or consolidators.
The GAPCC is composed of Directors of attached DA agencies, representatives from private sector, NGOs, and academe. The Chairperson is the Director of BAFPS, the Vice-Chairperson is the Director of BPI, and members include directors or authorized representatives from FPA, BAI, BSWM, HVCDP, and other sectoral and consumer representatives.
The Committee sets directions and policies for the GAP Program, reviews and updates guidelines, recommends qualified inspectors, assists in capacity building, and participates in international GAP discussions. It also reviews applications, hears appeals, and investigates complaints.
Applicants must submit the completed application form, farm or organizational profile, farm map, list of fertilizers and pesticides used, and certificate of training on GAP principles. Corporate farms and similar entities must also provide company registration, field operation procedures, accreditation procedures for growers, and manuals on outgrowership schemes.
The administrative expenses for evaluation, inspection, and audit are borne by BAFPS. The first sampling analysis cost is free for initial and renewal applicants, borne by BAFPS. However, costs for subsequent samplings due to non-compliance are borne by the applicant. Monitoring inspections and analyses costs are free.
After application evaluation, the GAPCC notifies the applicant of the audit date within 30 days. Trained inspectors conduct the on-site farm inspection guided by a checklist, including entrance and exit meetings. Samples for analysis are taken. Inspectors prepare a report including non-compliance items. The applicant receives results and official communication.
The applicant must comply with all minimum requirements in the GAP code including food safety, produce quality, workers' welfare, and environment. Farm management documentation must trace produce history with records kept for two years. New farms must have at least three months of records. The GAPCC approves or denies the application leading to certificate issuance with a registration number.
Farms must apply for renewal one month prior to the certificate's anniversary, with updated documents like farm map, fertilizer and pesticide list, manuals, and monitoring inspection results. A re-audit is conducted preferably during harvest. Extensions up to three months may be granted if re-registration occurs before expiry and no produce is available during inspection.
Use of the GAP Certified mark without certification or for produce not from the certified farm is an offense. The privilege to use the mark may be withdrawn for non-compliance. Failure to comply with the GAP guidelines may result in revocation or withdrawal of the GAP Certificate.
All employees, contractors, and Committee members must keep applicant information confidential. Production practices, customer lists, and complaints cannot be disclosed without written permission. Exceptions include the applicant's name and contact, verification of approval status, compliance with court orders, or investigation requests by the GAPCC.
Conflict of interest arises if a staff or member has economic interest with the producer under review within one year before, during, or after the review. Such individuals must disclose the conflict and not participate in discussions or decisions regarding that producer.