September 22, 2008

With turkey meat gaining global market share, Global Good Agricultural Practice (GLOBALGAP) is focused on developing a turkey module.

The aim is to produce turkey meat that is GLOBALGAP-certified and turkey production specialists are helping to define the control points and compliance criteria. Compliance with national and international laws are of utmost importance.

The most important items included housed and free-range stock; sheds and shed facilities; supply of feed and water; bird health and hygiene measures, residue monitoring; veterinary care and turkey monitoring; loading and transport of birds for slaughter and compliance with social standards for employees and qualifications.

Several test audits with the new turkey module have been successfully conducted in the EU and South America.

Upon the completion of public consultation, the module will reach interim final status in November 2008, and be available as a new GLOBALBAP product for certifying the production of turkeys at year-end.

By then, the offer to all existing certification systems for turkey to agree with GLOBALGAP on a recognition process will also be in place.