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LFP Process for |
| Inspections and Certification |
Local Food Plus provides certification based on independent, third-party inspections by inspectors trained and accredited by the International Organic Inspectors Association and who receive additional training in inspecting for LFP standards.
When LFP receives an application for certification, LFP hires an independent inspector to assess whether a farm or processor meets the LFP certification standards. The independent inspector provides one of five decisions:
(1) The inspector concludes that the farm or processor meets the standards and recommends that all the products requested for certification be accepted as LFP certified product;
(2) The inspector concludes that the farm or processor meets the standards in most areas and that a more limited range of products than requested be accepted as LFP certified product;
(3) The inspector concludes that the farm or processor largely meets the standards, but that a few minor improvements must be made prior to certification. If the farmer or processor completes the improvements within a specified period, the inspector recommends that all the products requested for certification be accepted as LFP certified product;
(4) The inspector concludes that the farm or processor largely meets the standards in most areas, but that a few minor improvements must be made prior to certification. If the farmer or processor completes the improvements within a specified period, the inspector recommends that a more limited range of products than requested be accepted as LFP certified product;
(5) The inspector concludes that the farm or processor does not meet the standards and that certification not be granted.
Local Food Plus's contractual obligation to pay the inspector is not affected by the inspector's final decision.
After completing the inspection and making a decision, the inspector submits a report to LFP, which is then sent on to an independent external reviewer. The reviewer reviews that farm application and the inspection report and assesses whether the inspection was conducted in a thorough, fair and professional manner in accordance with LFP protocols and procedures. After reviewing the inspector's report, the external reviewer could request that the inspector reconsider the decision if:
(1) proper inspection procedures had not been followed;
(2) s/he felt critical information related to farm or processor practices had not been properly considered;
(3) significant new information on farm or processor practices was received after the inspector's report was submitted.
The reviewer informs LFP of his/her decision in a written report submitted to LFP’s Certification Manager. If the reviewer determines that the inspector's decision should be reconsidered, the reviewer’s report is forwarded to the inspector for his/her response. The inspector will review the objection and render a decision by submitting a final inspection report to LFP's Director of Producer Services.
In a case where the inspector does not believe the reviewer’s concerns are warranted, LFP will hire two additional independent external reviewers to review the report. A majority decision of the three independent reviews will stand as the final decision for the certification year under discussion.
Local Food Plus’s contractual obligation to pay the reviewers is not affected by the reviewers’ decision.
The final decision is then forwarded to the President of LFP. LFP's President reviews the report and then informs the farmer or processor of the decision. If the decision is to certify all or part of the farm or processor's operation, then the President issues an official LFP certificate identifying what farm or processor products are LFP certified.
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