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Best Practices voor een duurzame toekomst
04 februari 2005

Utz Kapeh launches new Code of Conduct

The improved Code of Conduct was wanted for to tackle food security issues like prevention of mould, and to comply with tightened up Japanese food laws. David Rosenberg: "A Code of Conduct is a living document, not a static thing. And we want the Code to be applicable for the hundreds of thousands small-scale farmers that often live far apart and are not necessarily part of the electronic era. That is why we sought for simple language, fewer documentation and a clear implementation guide. The fundamental development challenge in coffee is organizing these small-scale farmers in such a way that they can catch the benefits. A lot of innovative and trustworthy ways have been found to organize small groups, and the new code is adapted to this evolution." Rosenberg notes that coffee buyers, among them massive players like the ECOM Coffee Group and Norman group, also press for innovating farming structures and for effective ways to improve the quality of the products. Rosenberg: "This creates a whole new dynamic with interesting economic incentives for small farmers. It may lead to a new development mechanism." Utz Kapeh (meaning 'good coffee' in a Maya language) has its head office in Amsterdam and branches in Vietnam, Kenya, Brazil, Guatemala, Switzerland and Japan. Utz Kapeh-certified coffee producers are located throughout Latin America, Asia and Africa. The certification system shows where the coffee comes from and gives the assurance that the coffee was produced in a responsible way. Among the buyers are Ahold, Sara Lee/DE, Autobar, Delhaize, Somerfield, Nordquist, ICA, Casino, Friele, Coop Norway, Joh. Johannsen and UCC. The Utz Kapeh Code of Conduct covers agricultural practices, social criteria based on the ILO-conventions, environmental criteria, and food safety issues required by international laws and standards. P+ Webtip: Utz Kapeh