Description

Monitoring cost grants are paid to farmers and businesses along the value chain for a specific period of time to help them pay the monitoring costs associated with certification.

Requirements

• A properly functioning country-wide administration and monitoring system with access to the relevant information and sufficient technical and human capacities for its design, implementation and monitoring
• Close cooperation and knowledge sharing with farmers' organisations
• Close cooperation and knowledge sharing with local advisory services
• Close cooperation and knowledge sharing with research institutions
• Quality management systems
• Regulated and legally protected payment structures
• Regular neutral inspections on farms and in agri-food enterprises
• Sanction mechanisms
• Training opportunities for independent inspectors and users

Possible Negative Effects

• Abuse if control mechanisms are not in place