This is one of the questions that exporters would find out during the first Asiawide conference on good agriculture practices to be held at the Manila Hotel on November 29-30 titled EUREPGAP Asia 2005. The conference was organized by the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT).

Invited authorities on food safety standards led by Eurepgap chairman Nigel Garbutt will enlighten food producers and exporters from East Asia on good agricultural practices.

The conference is seen as an initiative by members of the European Union to help economies in East Asia to penetrate or expand their presence in rich European food market.

Key issues to be discussed include current global concerns in agricultural practices, productivity in agriculture through good agricultural practices (GAP), EUROGAP global standards on safe, sustainable agriculture, gaining market access to the EU,benchmarking of national GAP programs and IT systems for managing agriculture practices.

EUREPGAP is an initiative of major retail groups in Europe, who, in partnership with producers and other stakeholders, have developed standards on good agricultural practices for certification in response to consumer needs.

Food producers, processors and exporters in the Philippines need to know exactly the safety and health standards in Europe and other major markets to avoid a repetition of sad experiences in the past when fresh and processed food from the country were impounded or rejected due to the absence of certifications as to their safety.