An independent evaluation of the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme (HARPS) is underway and will report back to Hort Innovation by 14 October.
It follows feedback on the scheme, which was launched in 2016 to streamline produce safety audits and consolidate reporting in a bid to increase efficiency for growers and retailers.
The evaluation will identify and analyse the strengths and weaknesses in the current approach for all stakeholders, assess the outcomes achieved, and recommend future and ongoing opportunities to enable HARPS to maximise impact, relevance, and remove duplication.
It will:
- Evaluate all program activities and their relevance to industry, including market demand and value proposition for growers/suppliers of all scales;
- Evaluate the commercialisation approach to HARPS, including governance, regulatory, policy and benefit-cost considerations, including end-user/adoption considerations; and
- Provide clear recommendations for the future of HARPS, including deficiencies or gaps within HARPS and opportunities to build on the model.
Strategic Project Partners will undertake the evaluation within terms of reference set jointly by horticulture industry representatives and retailers.
More details: https://harpsonline.com.au
