- Announcement
How to: New Guide to Traceability in Agricultural Supply Chains
The guide provides an introduction to traceability systems to support successful implementation of appropriate traceability solutions in agricultural supply chains. As a step-by-step guide, it explains the key aspects for effective traceability that can be applied in practice - adapted to specific needs.
Step-by-Step Implementation with the Guide
The guideline was developed in collaboration with C-lever.org and aims to support traceability in agricultural supply chains as a practical guide. The guide works with the definition of traceability proposed in the "Technical Brief on Cocoa Traceability in West and Central Africa": Traceability implies that information on the origin of agricultural products and their characteristics is documented and linked to batches of products and later processed products, and that this information is kept and transmitted throughout the value chain.
The guide takes you in detail through 6 steps that introduce traceability. These steps include:
- Step 1: Key drivers, objectives, and benefits of traceability that are needed are identified.
- Step 2: The current information management system used for the relevant value chain is assessed.
- Step 3: The most important requirements for the traceability solution are defined.
- Step 4: The stakeholder approach captures the needs of all relevant actors.
- Step 5: A proof of concept and test pilot version is created.
- Step 6: Time for the transition process and testing phase.
Traceability in Agricultural Supply Chains
This guide has a particular focus on issues of environmental, social and economic sustainability and how traceability systems can bring benefits to smallholder farmers in producer countries in the Global South.
The European Commission defines traceability in the General Food Law Regulation as follows: food, feed, food-producing animals or substances intended for consumption can be tracked through all stages of production, processing and distribution. Reliable sustainability along the value chain is only possible with sufficient transparency and traceable compliance with legal requirements.
However, the focus is not on traceability itself, but on the investment in well-documented, evidence-based practices and the increased value for money created by ensuring sustainability, safety, fairness, transparency, and accountability in value chains. This is done by ensuring that the traceability solutions deployed are cost effective also enable social return on investment.
Therefore, the key aspects describe that i) the approach is adapted to each of the individual actors in the value chain, ii) accessibility is ensured for all relevant parties, iii) sustainability is implemented in a cost-efficient and thus inclusive manner, iv) transparency through information access for all promotes compliance with the principles, and v) technically and substantively interoperable solutions are offered.