Standards for transport of perishable goods are still adequate?: Connections between standards and technologies in perishable foodstuffs transport

Abstract

The ATP – Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage has been signed by almost all Countries in Europe, by the USA and many other countries. It provides effective rules for the certification of the refrigerated vehicles used for land and rail transport of certain kinds of foodstuffs, with the purpose of ensuring their safety. This paper aims to put a question about the opportunity to extend the application of the ATP to other perishable foodstuffs or high value goods. For some of them it is a matter of safety, but also quality of perishable products is to be considered. Rejection of damaged or poor quality goods has a significant cost which could be reduced with a more stringent regulation of the transport conditions.