October 5, 2007

Uruguay hopes to access EU market with EurepGAP certification

Uruguay expects to have its Certified Natural Meat Program (CNMPU) approved by EurepGAP standards in late October so as to penetrate the EU market.

EurepGAP is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products, required by major supermarket chains in Europe.

The certification is designed to reassure consumers about how food is produced according to environmental, chemical and animal welfare standards.

Uruguay has also applied for EU certification that will allow the labelling of export beef and lamb cuts to the EU with information such as, breed and country of origin on retail packaging.

Uruguay's CNMPU has already been recognised by the USDA as complying with the requirements of the USDA Process Verified Program since 2004.

Although volumes exported to the US with this certification are still low, the certification itself is considered as a valuable marketing tool.