EU to Certify Ghana's Pineapple Export

The German Development Co-operation (GTZ) on Tuesday said the European Retailers (EUREP) is to give certified standards to Ghanaian pineapples entering the European markets.

The measure would start by March next year, to ensure quality and open high-end market for Ghanaian exporters.

Dr Mathias Braun, Team Leader of Integrated Crop Protection Project (ICP) of the GTZ, stated at the opening of a three-day National Training of Trainers course on pesticides management for good agricultural practices (GAP) in Accra that the introduction of certification by standard would improve the quality of fresh pineapples and their safety for local consumption and for export.

The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with the ICP/GTZ, would enable the participants mainly farmers and extension officers to comply with the international certification criteria concerning crop protection.

Dr Braun said the new measures would ensure sustainability of the industry and guarantee a long-term future for pineapple and other crop farmers in the country.

He explained that the growing emphasis on quality standards and public concern about food safety in developing countries had led both governments and retailers to set increasing high standards on production and processing methods.

He urged Ghanaian farmers and exporters to comply with international standards on the usage of pesticides and chemicals to ensure that "your products are not blacklisted by end users".

Dr Braun noted that the European Union had adopted a programme to harmonise maximum residue levels of crops and restrict pesticide residues in food exported to its member countries.

He said by July 2003 the Union would withdraw over 350 active pesticide ingredients from the current approved list of 823 ingredients due to their toxic levels, which had become dangerous for human consumption.

In a welcome address, Mr Vesper Suglo, Director, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of Ministry of Food and Agriculture noted that Ghana was already behind schedule for the certification and suggested the building up of capacity to fast-track the process to meet the requirements and the challenges the international market dictates.

Mr Suglo noted that the implementation timetable on the certification and harmonisation programme would affect farmers and exporters but said, "the end would justify the means".

He lauded the effort of non-traditional exporters for their immerse contribution to the national economy, as pineapples alone yielded over 11.8 million dollars in export earning last year.

The participants are expected to study pesticide classification and labels, protective clothing, choice of the right chemicals, first aid and emergency measures and sprayer calibration.

Other topics are proper application rates and techniques of pesticides, harvest and post-harvest treatments, transport, storage and disposal of pesticides.