Training of Global GAP consultants and inspectors in ISO 19011

The purpose of the Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity (FARMA) is to provide technical assistance in Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) subsectors of agriculture markets through demand driven assistance aimed at improved competitiveness of BiH agricultural products. FARMA is to expand environmentally sustainable production, processing and sales of value-added agricultural products. The expected result of FARMA is economic growth and contribution to poverty reduction.

One of FARMA’s goals is to improve access to EU markets by ensuring that local produce meet EU standards and obtain necessary certifications. One of the main challenges facing the international trading system is the variation in certification, testing, inspection practices, and standards used by different countries i.e. conformity assessment bodies (inspection and certification bodies as well as laboratories). FARMA has been providing support to producers to implement the GlobalGAP standard, which is now often the minimum requirement for producers wishing to access the EU retail market with fresh fruits and vegetables. BiH already has several well-trained consultants in the GlobalGAP standard, however very few have skills and experience in auditing procedures which are required for quality control. Skills in auditing are required for GlobalGAP consultants to undertake internal audits, as well as GlobalGAP inspectors to undertake external audits on behalf of accredited certification bodies.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide training for the BiH GlobalGAP consultants and inspectors in ISO 19011 so they can adequately perform internal/external audits as per GlobalGAP requirements and thereby assist BiH producers in the certification process.