HACCP certification for tea to be subsidised

SUBSIDY PROGRAMME: Ministry of Plantation Industries had launched a subsidy program for food safety certification based on HACCP. In this scheme up to 60% of the cost incurred in obtaining quality certification from agencies approved by the Ministry will be reimbursed. This scheme is also focused on encouraging qualified and accredited service providers for certification and group training to support certification activities.

ISO FORUM of Sri Lanka Association for Quality (SLAQ) is of the view that this is a strong move by the Ministry to encourage internationally acceptable certification so that the 'Ceylon Tea' will continue to hold the traditionally strong market position held internationally.

ISO FORUM had highlighted certain unacceptable practices, in food safety certification operated and this intervention by the Ministry will be a very important step in promoting tea exports. It is also noted that still the industry is confused on different certificates offered and it is necessary that more awareness is made on these so that industry will be guided in obtaining the most beneficial certifications.

It is noted that food safety certifications available currently are based on ISO standards as well as many other standards such as association, company as well as national standards.

The industry needs to be kept aware of the implications of different standards used for certification purposes, and selection of appropriate standards considering the trends of international markets which require compliance with international standards. ISO FORUM whilst fully recognising the positive approaches made by the Ministry, wide publicity programme will be launched to assist the industry to obtain a much clearer view of certification activities.

In notifying the subsidy programme, the Ministry also had noted that the lack of awareness in the tea industry i.e. producers, factory owners, exporters, packers and general public on the growing trend for quality certification specially with the introduction of EU food safety regulations. As a step in this awareness campaign, the Ministry had jointly organised a seminar with Quality International Certification Services (QICS).

Among the presenters at this seminar, the Secretary, Ministry of Plantation Industries will outline the policy of the subsidy scheme and Director General of the Sri Lanka Tea Board with the Tea Commissioner will explain the role of respective agencies on promotion of quality in tea.