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Transcript of Mauritius Agricultural Certification Bodyenvironment.govmu.org/English/Documents/switch... ·...
Mauritius
Agricultural
Certification
Body Under the aegis of the
Ministry of Agro-Industry and
Food Security
Cevina Gooria Quality Manager
11 May 2017
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Contents of this presentation Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body (MACB)
Vision and mission
Strategic plan- Way forward
Agricultural Certification
Certification
Quality Management system
Certification process at MACB
Appeal procedure
Certification services
Getting certified with MACB
Current challenges of farmers
Pictures- Field Inspection, Certified produce on the market
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Mauritius Agricultural
Certification Body (MACB) The Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body is under
the aegis of the Ministry of Agro- Industry and Food Security.
MACB is a certification body set up in June 2016 for the certification of agricultural systems.
It provides third party certification services for sustainable agricultural production practices.
MACB perform audits on sustainable agricultural
production systems. It provides assurance that agricultural commodities are produced, packed, handled and stored according to specific agricultural standards.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Vision and Mission
Vision
To be the leading Agricultural Certification body
in the region through certification services for
eco-friendly production practices that ensure
sustainable agriculture and consumers’
confidence for safer agricultural produce.
Mission
To provide a national, impartial and transparent
mechanism for certification of agricultural produce
and contributing to food safety and security.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Strategic plan- Way forward
Government policy and plan
Vision and policy of the present government* to
promote sustainable agriculture and bio farming for:
- Long term environment protection
- Health benefits and
- Economic viability
*Source: Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for the Non-Sugar
sector
Switch Africa Green – Inclusive green economy
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Agricultural certification
The situation
Farmers – Food crop sectors + Livestock sector
MACB is a certification body with
1. Technically competent staff with relevant experience and sector expertise.
2. Required qualifications, training and ongoing competence monitoring of staff.
3. Independently and impartially verifies compliance to a standard.
4. Certification issued is recognised for the domestic market.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Target
Most farmers in Mauritius adhere to at least Good
Agricultural Practices and get certified.
A % farmers would be producing organic products.
MACB is a government owned body offering
presently free of cost services for the time
being, to allow farmers from grass root level
be inclusive in the development process and
capture the market for quality agricultural
produce.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Agricultural certification
Certification
Certification addresses the growing worldwide
demand for safe food. It is intended to assure quality,
prevent fraud and to promote sale of quality products
to consumers.
MACB as a certification body has a system in place complying with ISO 17065- Conformity assessment -
Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services.
Accreditation will allow MACB demonstrate an
independent confirmation of its competence,
independence and consistency.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Quality Management System
ISO 17065
Key requirements of ISO 17065:
Certification body set up with as legal structure
Presence of a certification agreement
Use of certification marks and licenses
Non discriminatory practices
Confidentiality and impartiality.
Impartiality- Need for complete independence is
emphasised.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Quality Management System
ISO 17065
Documented procedure with provisions for
surveillance audits
(ensuring that the certified product continues to meet
applicable requirements).
Procedures for certification
suspending
withdrawing certification
appeal and complaints.
MACB Staff have been trained by BioCert Pvt Ltd.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Certification
process at
MACB
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected]
Tel:2106503/2139360
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Appeal
Procedure
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
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MACB has a
formal, robust,
documented
processes to
receive, analyse
and take
independent
decisions in
relation to appeals
against it.
Certification services –
MauriGAP Part 1
Presently, MACB is issuing certification for MauriGAP
part I (This standard establishes basic requirements for sustainable crop production).
Part 1: The main requirements are Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for food safety, environmental issues, quality, traceability and workers safety, health and welfare.
Other certification schemes in the pipeline
MauriGAP Level II
MauriGAP Level III (Equivalent to GLOBALGAP)
Organic standard
Livestock standard
Honey standard
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Getting certified with MACB
MACB services are for the time being free of charge.
Standards are adapted to Mauritian context (e.g.
MauriGAP).
Various incentives are available under the Bio-farming Promotion Scheme (Farmer should take
commitment to implement MauriGAP Level 1 within 1 year)- (Incentives: 8 year tax holiday, exception of
VAT, financial assistance at concessionary interest
rates)
MACB is a competent public body with a quality management system offering third party certification.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Getting certified with MACB
MACB logo can be a marketing advantage to food producers owing to its increasing high consumer recognition value.
MACB logo offer product differentiation and show credible evidence of compliance.
Certified products may be marketed at a premium price than those of the conventional agricultural produce.
May get a broader market share due to the limited supply in the market.
The MACB logo differentiates between the certified and non-certified agricultural produce. The unique certification number will allow identification in the MACB database and give assurance to consumers.
Adoption of a quality standard for agricultural production improve the efficiency of the farm management e.g. efficient use of inputs.
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Current challenges of farmers
Knowledge of the standard
Compliance to standard- Modifying methods etc.
Documentation- Quite extensive – farm history
Record keeping (available for inspection at any
time)
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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In practice…Inspection of fields
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Certified produce on the market
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Contact information
Programme Manager
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Tel: 210 6503/ 213 9360 Fax: 210 6541
Email: [email protected]
Website: Under construction (http://agriculture.govmu.org)
6th Floor, Sterling House, Lislet Geoffroy St, P. Louis
Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security
Port Louis
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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Thank your for your attention
Mauritius Agricultural Certification Body
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2139360
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