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USAPEEC ASEAN

The official launch of a series of agri-food standards on October 28 provides farmers with green guidelines on their processes and offer better assurance to Singaporeans looking to buy locally grown produce, seafood and eggs. Developed by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and the Standards Development Organisation, these new standards will be used for the Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) Singapore Good Agricultural Practices (SG GAP) certification.

The three standards are:

  • Singapore Standards (SS) 675: 2021 Specification for Good Agriculture Practice – covering food safety, crop protection and produce quality, environmental management, and the health, safety, and welfare of farm workers.
  • SS 670:2021 Specification for Good Aquaculture Practice will apply to open-cage farming, pond farming, closed containment farming systems for fish, crustaceans and shellfish and covers the following areas of aquaculture farm production: food safety and quality, animal health and welfare, environmental integrity the socio-economic aspects.
  • SS 676:2021 Specification for good animal husbandry practice for layer farms covers all aspects of farm operations which include the egg collection process as well as offer guidelines to minimize the environment impact and maintaining animal welfare.  Food safety and quality, animal health and welfare, environmental management and workers’ health and safety will also come under this purview.

    The specification for good animal husbandry for layer farms covers all aspects of farm operations, including the egg collection process. (Photo: Singapore Food Agency)

Chairman of the Food Standards Committee Dr Allan Lim said that the standards are aimed at guiding local farms in the areas of food safety and quality, environmental management, and the health and safety of farm workers. Dr Lim said: “Through the adoption of best farming practices recommended by local industry experts and the alignment with international standards, these Singapore Standards will allow local farms to access wider markets and enhance consumer confidence in their products and produce.”

Ms Khoo Gek Hoon, Director of SFA’s Industry Development and Community Partnership Division, said the standards would help contribute to Singapore’s 30 by 30 plan that aims to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030.