Abstract
Third-party certification (TPC), the most common organic certification system, has faced growing criticism in recent years. This has led to the development of alternative certification systems, most of which can be classed as Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS). PGS have been promoted as a more suitable, cheaper and less bureaucratic alternative to TPC for local markets and are associated with additional benefits such as empowering smallholder farmers, facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning and enhancing food security and sovereignty. PGS have spread rapidly in the past few years, but studies suggest that they are facing numerous challenges that, if not addressed, may jeopardise these benefits. Using the example of three Mexican PGS initiatives, this paper explores the main challenges faced by PGS, specifically those predominantly found in producer-run PGS initiatives. Based on producer and consumer surveys, semi-structured and informal interviews, and participant and non-participant observation, the key challenges that emerged were continuous implementation of the certification process, time constraints, personal conflicts and conflict avoidance. The paper further argues that the requirements for PGS recognition under the Mexican Law for Organic Products may also threaten the continued existence of PGS and suggests that mechanisms for managing conflicts, incentivising PGS participation and mitigating opportunity costs are key if PGS are to continue to develop.
Highlights
Since the early 1990s, the market for organic products has grown rapidly, accompanied by a shift from an organic certification system based on peer review to a system of third-party certification (TPC) (Fouilleux and Loconto 2017; Sligh and Cierpka 2007)
We argue that experiences from the management of common-pool resources (CPR) (Ostrom 2007, 2015) and environmental conflict resolution (O’Leary and Bingham 2003) can inform researchers and practitioners engaged with Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), help identify solutions and suggest new action strategies
As is typical for Mexican PGS initiatives (Nelson et al 2010, 2016), the PGS of case study markets were managed by their certification committees run at local market level [hereinafter referred to as Participatory Certification Committee (PCC)]
Summary
Since the early 1990s, the market for organic products has grown rapidly, accompanied by a shift from an organic certification system based on peer review to a system of third-party certification (TPC) (Fouilleux and Loconto 2017; Sligh and Cierpka 2007). TPC implies a high degree of standardisation in inspection, certification and related processes. This high degree of standardisation is considered necessary to inhibit fraud, guarantee fair competition and ensure the integrity of organic products (Källander 2008; Meirelles 2003). Due to the high costs of certification and documentation requirements, small-scale farmers often find it hard to achieve TPC and access organic markets, especially in the Global South (Cáceres 2005; Fouilleux and Loconto 2017; Nelson et al 2016). The strict separation of extension services and certification demanded from TPC by ISO 17065
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