Fields of interest

Guide Self Checking G014

The Guide on Self Checking for wholesalers and processors of fruit, vegetables and potatoes is managed by FVPhouse, the umbrella association of Belgapom (potato trade and processing), Vegebe (trade and processing of industrial vegetables) and Fresh Trade Belgium. The Guide was written with support of Ghent University and is officially approved by the Belgian Food Safety Agency. The document is a reference for official checks on food safety and quality.

The Guide is regularly updated, version 5 is availiable on http://www.gidsac.be A next update is expected in spring 2024 with new requirements on water use (different types of water, criteria, re-use and recycling ... within the legal food safety limits).

Combined audits with BRC and IFS are possible.

Operators with a validated self checking system recieve a bonus of 75% on their annual fee for the Federal Food Safety Agency. A validated system is obligatory for exports to specific markets such as Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Israël, Canada, Vietnam and Brazil.

Trainings and seminars

FVPhouse organises trainings and seminars on a broad range of topics such as food safety (self checking, allergene management), sustainability (CSDD, CSRD, LCA ...) that have an impact on the business of fruit and vegetables.

Togehter with Normec Foodcare Fresh Trade Belgium organizes regularly 1/2 day training on product quality for a diverse range of fruit and vegetables.

Members are kept informed on new initiatives.

Imports from third countries

in 2019 the EU changed its policy on imports of fruits and vegetables. New measures were meant to avoid introduction of harmful organisms on the EU territory (f.i. non European fruit flies) and the phytosanitary certificate became the general rule (5 exceptions). A complete digitalization is the ultimate goal. During COVID several encouraging developments took place (TRACES/ EPHYTO) that will facilitate the business.

Fresh Trade Belgium is in contact with federal authorities to limit the impact on logistical processes within the legal framework.

Members can contact the secretariat with questions concerning EU import conditions and restrictions (phytosanitary, Mrl, microbial criteria, contaminants, novel food ...)

Exports to third countries

Fresh Trade Belgium helps operators to identify the export conditions of third countries (phytosanitary requirements, import duties ...) and, in coordination with the auctions and the food safety authority, keeps up to date the registers of exporters authorized to export towards specific markets (self checking and sector procedures).

Fresh Trade Belgium coordinates the sectoral monitoring scheme for the exporters active on the Japanese market. Operators can contact the association for the sector procedure on certified copies.

Brexit: since 2021 the UK has become a third country. FVPhouse kept its members up to date on new rules and arrangements. Thanks to the UK - EU trade deal import duties and quota are avoided for the moment but formalities and checks by customs and certificates for the marketing standard are required. UK legislation might diverge more and more from EU legislation. Changes in regulations and requirement are closely monitored.

Energy contracts

Together wiith Hellemans Consultancy, Fresh Trade Belgium helps its members to make correct and beneficial energy contracts. Several members made such contracts and already experience the benefits.

Promotion

Fresh Trade Belgium is member of the sector group fruit and vegetables of Vlam (Flemish Promotion Board) for promotion activities on foreign markets. In 2024 participation to following events is programmed: Fruit Logistica Berlin, Fruit Attraction Madrid, the fair in Hong Kong and different trade missions. As organic is playing an important role in the EU Green Deal, Fresh Trade Belgium took up a mandate in the sector group for organic in April 2022.

Sustainability

After the sector passport on sustainability, FVPhouse launched the project 'Together towards a circular and solidary agrofood chain in the sector of fruit, vegetables and potatoes'. This happened with the support of the Flemish Community. The sectorpassport was updated with the Sustainable Development Goals. 12 pilot companies implemented the vision and objectives at company level. Topics covered: prevention of food loss/ waste, sustainable water use, sustainable production and consumption patterns and social well being.

With the support of Flemish authorities and consultant Sliding Doors, FVPhouse and its participating members started working with the 'Sustatool'. Members benefit from support and professional advice to implement sustainability on the working floor.

In 2023 FVPhouse engaged in a new project on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, this time with the support of the Federal Institute for Sustainable Development. The project has run for one year and focussed on the sustainability of the supply chain (environment/ human rights). Operators participated in a learning network or acted as a pilot company. Aim of the project was to deliver specific guidelines and instruments for the fruit and vegetable business to bring sustainability into practice. The result of the project is a possible basis for authorities to develop further measures of support and increase the sustainability in the fruit and vegetable sector.

In 2024 Fresh Trade Belgium and several members joined the CSRD project of Freshfel. From 2026 larger companies are obliged to do sustainability reporting according to European standards and based on data of 2025. Smaller companies that fall out of the scope will be confronted with questions and requirements from their bigger customers (trickle down effect). Together with Deloitte a consortium of companies and associations of the fruit and vegetable sector work on a reporting tool, based on stakeholders surveys and a double materiality analysis tha is carried out together at sector level.

Topics requiring attention in 2024

VLAREMA 9 and the ban on fruitstickers (update legislation and protocol OVAM), Royal Decree on Unfair Trading Practicies (UTP), the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation which could hopefully bring an end to divergent national and regional legislations, g of small v marketing standards and labelling (including evolution at the level of sustainability labelling and PEF), origin labelling, plant protection (MRL, active substances under pressure ...), phytosanitary measures applicable when importing from third counties (FCM, non European fruit flies, ...) and digitalisation of certificates.

Individual services

Individual members can contact Fresh Trade Belgium for first degree advices in different fields. The association has an extensive network including contacts with relevant authorities and other organizations. For further information please contact the secretariat, via veerle.vandersypt@fvphouse.be or tel +32.9.339.12.50