This paper deals with the experience in designing and setting standards for quality assurance schemes within the EU, attention being focused on the different classification and orientation of the existing schemes, organizational structure, costs and benefits that are incurred by participating in the schemes, also to the strengths and weaknesses of the quality assurance schemes. In modelling the Lithuanian case, it is essential to analyse the consumer demands and the stakeholder views upon the necessity of a national quality assurance scheme. This paper presents results of interviews and workshops, which show a high level of interest in added value products in the market. Based on the outcome of the research on existing quality assurance schemes and conducted surveys, this paper presents a possible model of the Lithuanian quality assurance scheme and outlines the necessary tasks to be accomplished in order to introduce this scheme to the market.
Key words: consumers, food, market, quality assurance schemes
Romualdas Zemeckis, Vilma Dapkutė. Quality assurance schemes: the Lithuanian case // ŽEMĖS ŪKIO MOKSLAI. ISSN 1392-0200. 2007. T. 14. Priedas. P. 171-177 (EBSCO, CAB Abstracts).
