EarthClaims COVID Update

G.A.P. Certification Services Update No. 3

COVID-19 Pandemic

To: G.A.P. Colleagues From: Rachel Prickett Director of Certification Services

Date: August 31, 2020

Re: Continuation of Remote Auditing

This Update follows up on our June 23, 2020 correspondence regarding certification services during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope this finds each of you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Throughout the course of the year, we have been continually amazed at the resourcefulness and resilience of each farmer and rancher in the G.A.P. program. This year has been marked by change and uncertainty but profound dedication to farming excellence and animal welfare has continued to be a hallmark of G.A.P. producers across North America.

No On-Site Audits Until January 2021 at the earliest.

With G.A.P.’s approval, EarthClaims has determined to extend its remote auditing practice to December 31, 2020 and will further evaluate at that time. EarthClaims’ top operational priority is protecting our valued clients and auditors. Given the uneven re-opening of travel and economic activity in the various states in the U.S., and the continued restriction against all non-essential travel across the Canada/U.S. border, it is not possible to uniformly resume on-site auditing.

Ongoing Implementation of EarthClaims Desk Audit Protocol©

The temporary elimination of on-site farm visits has required us to reconfigure our approach to verification. We have implemented a robust Desk Audit Protocol, which consists of telephone interviews, thorough records review, video and photo supplementation and detailed follow-up.

It is EarthClaims’ ongoing goal to continue to provide the highest level of customer service while conducting well-substantiated animal welfare certification.

We appreciate your support and welcome your feedback as we continue to develop new tools and new procedures to adapt to these changing times.

We wish you all the best health and well-being as you navigate the days ahead. We look forward to continuing to work with you to be of service.

Sincerely,

Rachel Prickett, Director of Certification