What we claim: GLOBALG.A.P. standards require responsible use and storage of plant protection products (PPP), chemical compounds, and other hazardous substances to mitigate risks to people and the ecosystem.  

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on:  

• Integrated Pest Management* 

• Choice of PPP according to national legislation and labels on PPP containers. 

• Safe handling, storage and application of PPP 

• Responsible disposal of PPP waste e.g. surplus mix, application equipment, empty containers, obsolete PPPs 

• Storage guidance for chemical compounds (such as fuels, paints, chalks, and acids)  

• Staff training in the above areas

*Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest control that combines a variety of practices to manage pests effectively, while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. The core idea of IPM is to use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods in a way that is sustainable and economically viable. 

Why we address it: Plant protection products are chemicals used to kill pests like insects, weeds, or fungi that can harm crops. While they help farmers grow more food, they can also be bad for the environment, for example they can cause harm to other animals and humans, pollute water, damage soil, or cause pesticide resistance. Fertilizers are substances that farmers add to soil to help plants grow better by providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, if too much fertilizer is used, it can cause eutrophication, a process that harms water bodies and kills aquatic life.   

GLOBALG.A.P. standards include criteria that, when implemented correctly, mitigate these risks and reduce the ecotoxicity of farming to safeguard productive land and water.  

Standards which include criteria for minimizing toxicity to environment and people: 

• IFA for fruit and vegetables 

• IFA for flowers and ornamentals 

• IFA for aquaculture 

• IDA module

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria

What we claim: GLOBALG.A.P. standards seek to reduce the impact of farming activities on habitats and biodiversity through criteria on several key topics. 

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on:  

• PPP handling and storage with low risk to the environment 

• Integrated Pest Management which aims to make use of the ecological potential of the local environment in pest management (agriculture 

• Controlling the conversion of protected areas into farmland, e.g. if protected areas were converted, they are to be restored (agriculture) 

• Monitoring of benthic biodiversity on all aquaculture systems used (aquaculture)  

• Escape prevention of farmed species (aquaculture)  

• Identification of high conservation value areas and farming prevention on those areas (agriculture and aquaculture)  

Why we address it: Protecting habitats and biodiversity is essential for maintaining the natural processes that support life on Earth, including human life. It is vital for ecological balance and food security in particular. Healthy flora and fauna impacts soil quality, manages pests, and pollinates crops. Benthic biodiversity health is also crucial for water bodies. GLOBALG.A.P. standards therefore include criteria that seek to mitigate negative impact on habitats, biodiversity, and land use, which in turn sustains the local environment, flora and fauna and safeguards viable land for farming for future generations. 

Standards which include criteria on biodiversity and habitats: 

• IFA for fruit and vegetables 

• IFA for flowers and ornamentals 

• IFA for aquaculture 

• BioDiversity add-on 

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria

What we claim: GLOBALG.A.P. standards seek to improve on-farm energy consumption through monitoring energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. 

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on:  

• Monitoring on-farm energy use (agriculture and aquaculture) 

• Developing a documented energy efficiency plan (agriculture and aquaculture) 

• Plans to minimize non-renewable energy consumption (agriculture and aquaculture) 

Further recommendations in our standards provide guidelines on energy management metrics, covering aspects such as energy sources, generation, and import/export to and from the farm, along with calculations for energy use per kilogram of product or hectare of production. 

Why we address it: On-farm energy efficiency is crucial for reducing costs and improving productivity, as well as protecting the environment and adapting to climate change. These benefits not only help individual farmers but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and food security, which is why we include criteria in our standards to reflect this.  

Standards which include criteria on energy efficiency: 

• IFA for fruit and vegetables 

• IFA for flowers and ornamentals 

• IFA aquaculture 

• IDA  

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria

What we claim: GLOBALG.A.P. standards support producers in implementing a suitable waste management system on their farms and include criteria to verify that farm waste and pollutants are safely identified, reduced, handled, and disposed of in a way that minimizes their impact on both the environment and human health. 

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on:  

• The processes of identifying, reducing, collecting, classifying, storing, and disposing of waste 

• Requiring empty PPP/chemical compound containers and any surplus from applications to be disposed of in a way that minimizes environmental impact, with a particular focus on reducing plastic waste  

• Human waste from toilets must be properly collected, and diesel and other fuel storage tanks must meet environmental safety standards  

• Any subcontractor activities, including those conducted off-site, such as waste removal, sludge management, or equipment disposal, must comply with all relevant legislation 

Why we address it: Waste on farm needs to be well managed to avoid contamination of end products as well as the soil, water, and air, and proper waste management practices are essential for the long-term viability of agriculture and the health of the planet. 

Standards which include criteria on waste management: 

• IFA FV 

• IFA FO 

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria

What we claim: Our standards support producers in preserving and improving soil quality and avoiding erosion in agricultural land, as well as preventing the salinization of soil, and – specifically for aquaculture activities – ground water or surface water bodies. 

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on: 

• Maintaining a soil management plan, including soil maps, crop rotation and techniques to preserve soil structure and prevent soil compaction (agriculture) 

• Practices to prevent soil salinization (aquaculture)  

Why we address it: Soil is a living entity essential for sustaining life, supporting global food supply, carbon cycles, and biodiversity. Soil conservation is crucial for the environment because it helps maintain the health and productivity of ecosystems, supports biodiversity, and plays a vital role in combating climate change. Preserving and improving the quality of soil is also crucial for safeguarding future productivity, combatting food scarcity and sustaining life on Earth. Additionally, preventing soil salinization is important to protect both soil and groundwater resources. 

Standards which include criteria on soil: 

• IFA FO 

• IFA FV 

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria 

What we claim: Our standards include criteria which seek to protect water sources from pollution and over-abstraction.  

How we address it: Our standards promote responsible and efficient water use through criteria on: 

• adhering to legal water use 

• sufficient awareness of water sources in critical condition and considerations of other water uses within the basin 

• storing water during periods of abundance 

• requiring that water is used efficiently Further criteria also sets guidelines for the storage, application, and disposal of plant protection products (PPP) and fertilizers to prevent pollution of surface- and groundwater, for example not applying PPP close to water sources (e.g.10m buffer zones) and properly managing waste water. In aquaculture, we also aim to prevent farming activities from threatening desiccation-sensitive biodiversity* through criteria on records of discharge licenses and abstraction rights. *Desiccation-sensitive biodiversity refers to species and ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to drying out or losing moisture. 

Why we address it: Water is a finite resource that sustains life and supports ecological balance. Droughts and water scarcity increasingly concerns farmers and communities around the world, therefore measures to protect water sources from overuse and pollution are essential for sustaining ecosystems, ensuring human health, supporting agriculture, preventing environmental degradation, mitigating environmental crises, and assuring there is sufficient quantities of high-quality water for local communities. 

Standards which include criteria on water availability: 

Standards which include criteria on (aspect): 

• IFA 

• SPRING add-on 

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria

What we claim: Our standards include criteria that, if well implemented, work to avoid the leakage or loss of nutrients which causes pollution in water bodies, ground water, and soil. 

How we address it: Our standards include criteria on: 

• Technical decision-making regarding the amount, timing, and type of fertilizers used 

• Ensuring correct storage and application of fertilizers and plant nutrients so as to avoid pollution 

Why we address it: The excessive use of fertilizers is causing a significant environmental impact globally, whereby mineral nitrogen and phosphorus cause algae blooms which decompose, generating eutrophication of water bodies (dead zones).  

Standards which include criteria on (aspect): 

• IFA 

Source: IFA for fruit and vegetables, v6 Smart, principles and criteria