Wyatt Group Global Assurance is an independent third-party audit and supply chain verification company. Along with its affiliates, Wyatt Group provides on-site audits and verification services in the Agriculture and Food services industries. With decades of experience from production through finished goods, Wyatt and its affiliates are able to provide solutions from audits, guideline / checklist development and supply chain monitoring / verification.
In an exclusive interview with The Organic Magazine, Bill Raffety, Founder, Wyatt Group Global Assurance talks about the importance of agri auditing.
How important is agriculture auditing?
Auditing in Agriculture is becoming more and more important. As the general consumer has access to more information and with the capabilities to research where our food comes from and how it was produced and by whom it was produced, it is imperative that growers, merchants, shippers and retailers cover themselves by accessing credible 3rd party groups to carry out audits to confirm the GAP and or guideline accepted grower practices as well as full supply chain transparency and verification along each step of the chain. Transparency drives credibility.
Do you see a lot of Organic farmers opting for auditing? Is it affordable for them?
I find that there are organic farmers looking for credible 3rd party verification companies to carry out their organic audits.
As producers growing products organically, they need to verify the process so they can capture the premium for organic or conventional and at the same time protect themselves to make sure they are running their operations along the lines of the organic guidelines and standards. They cannot afford to not audit. If they do not do an agriculture auditing and are checked and come up short or run into a situation of a fine or being shut down, the damage to their brand far outweighs the cost of an audit.
In developing countries like India, farmers hesitate to go even for certifications. So how can they be persuaded to go for auditing?
I would suggest for countries like India, as you mention above as an example, to start with the process or procedure of an initial walk through of a farm or facility. We need to show them that we as auditors are there to be supportive and help them mitigate and remove risk and at the same time work to help these farmers develop SOPs and training programs that benefit their entire operation and at the same time work to improve their overall operation and keep them within the organic guidelines.
The importance of Food Safety and facility verification in the light of Covid-19?
It is extremely important. As we have seen with processing facilities and other operations where you have large numbers of employees/team members working closely together due to the task at hand, the potential for spread of Covid-19 is much higher than other working environments. If a Covid-19 SOP system and training program is in place, you help to reduce the risk of spreading the virus and thus keep employees on the job.
How can your company help Supply Chain monitoring?
Wyatt Group Global Assurance is a 3rd party monitoring, audit and verification company. We can be brought in to develop a supply chain monitoring program for any operation in the Agriculture and Food industries. We have carried out farm and facility audits for more than 8 years and can put together a custom program to meet the needs of each client.
Also read: ITC Windsor, world’s first hotel to achieve LEED Zero Carbon Certification
Bill
Good article.
Traceability is critical, and I have been one of its biggest supporters throughout the supply chain.
Call me or email me – we haven’t spoke in a good while, ad we probably share the same goals.
Wally
Hey Farm Boy! Congratulations on what you have accomplished. You may remember me from GH. Can’t believe we are both in the Agra business. I am involved in a large hydroponic lettuce project coming on stream in CT this spring. Let’s talk. Jon@thecorporate advisory.com.