The
European Retail Protocol for Good Agricultural Practice (Eurepgap: see
www.eurep.org) was originally introduced by European retail chains for sourcing their fresh produce purchases.
Eurepgap forms the basis of this code. The protocol was established by over 30 leading European retailers working together in the European Retailers Produce Working Group (
EUREP) to harmonize their agricultural standards for fruits and vegetables. The protocol is now an established part of their sourcing strategy and enjoys wide acceptance. It is consumer-driven and provides an assurance of basic good agricultural practices and social conditions.
Work was completed in 2004 to allow green coffee supplies to be brought under the same principles, more appropriately called a
code of conduct or a
code of practice – see
http://www.eurep.org/newdesign/index_html.