How are focus groups and working groups structured?
Participation is open to anyone with industry expertise in the focus group’s relevant field. While it is not restricted to GLOBALG.A.P. Community Members, at least one member from the producer/supplier and one member from retail/food service categories are always included. A representative from the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat is also assigned to each group.
Each group works without a fixed term, as the duration is determined by the nature of the topic. It is up to each group to determine how many meetings are necessary. They are always open to new members, and participation is voluntary/free of charge. Group members are required to disclose any potential or current conflicts of interest to the GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board for consideration, which will agree upon a resolution if required.
What are the responsibilities of focus groups?
Reviewing drafts
of new or revised standards and add-ons and providing feedback in their area of expertise
Providing topic- and/or sector-specific input
to the Technical Advisory Committee and/or working groups
Meeting at regular intervals
to discuss urgent issues, trends, or challenges affecting the industry as a whole
Reviewing drafts
of new or revised standards and add-ons and providing feedback in their area of expertise
Providing topic- and/or sector-specific input
to the Technical Advisory Committee and/or working groups
Meeting at regular intervals
to discuss urgent issues, trends, or challenges affecting the industry as a whole
Five steps to joining a focus group
Check the list of active focus groups to see how you can get involved. Announcements of new focus group topics will be published on the GLOBALG.A.P. website and communicated to relevant stakeholder groups.
Individuals may contact the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat at committees@agraya.com to register their interest in participating in a focus group. The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat may also extend invitations for applications to relevant known stakeholders.
The size of the focus group may be limited. If so, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat will select the most suitable group members according to the criteria presented in the announcement and in alignment with the terms of reference. Applicants who are not able to attend all meetings may be invited to join as “observers”. Observers receive all information and minutes of the focus group’s meetings.
The selected applicants are required to sign a confidentiality agreement as part of the terms of reference. Following this, the final list of participants is published on this page.
At the first meeting, the focus group will elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson who are responsible for moderating and conducting the meetings. Any member of the focus group may nominate themselves for chair or vice-chair.
In 2020, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat began the process of updating the Compound Feed Manufacturing (CFM) standard to include more sustainability criteria. The Compound Feed Manufacturing Focus Group was established to support this process. The focus group consists of stakeholders who are experts in the field of compound feed manufacturing, the management of feed ingredients, aquaculture and/or livestock production, and related aspects of ecological sustainability.
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.
