HORTICULTURE FOR TOMORROW - Code of Practice and Certification

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Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice

In conjunction with the development of the Guidelines was the development of the Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice (the “Green Code”).

Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice

For a copy of the Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice, see the attached Freshcare Flyer.

Click here to download. (46 Kb)

Other industry and quality assurance groups are already starting to use the Guidelines as a platform for developing codes of practice for environmental management.

A perfect example is the Freshcare Environmental Code.

Freshcare is the name of the national on-farm assurance program for the fresh produce industry.

An industry-owned on-farm assurance program and not-for-profit organisation, Freshcare provides a practical, cost effective mechanism for Australian growers wishing to demonstrate the management of risk on farm. More than 3500 Australian growers have implemented the Freshcare Food Safety Code of Practice on their properties. An annual independent audit process provides an assurance to customers of the practices in place to deliver safe, quality produce.

Following the structure of the existing Freshcare Food Safety Code, the Environmental Code provides a practical, grower-friendly mechanism through which compliance against environmental elements can be demonstrated. The environmental code is an optional element of the Freshcare Program.

Existing Freshcare members will be able to access the Environmental Code at no additional cost, however, they will be strongly encouraged to participate in appropriate training in order to effectively implement and manage their systems on farm. When members are ready / require certification against the Environmental Code, a combined food safety / environmental audit will be scheduled, again minimising cost and time.

The Green Code is designed to integrate with the existing Freshcare Food Safety Code of Practice or function as a stand alone program. The EA Guidelines are the guiding reference document for the environmental practices used in the auditable Green Code. Each chapter within the Guidelines are covered in the Green Code.

How does the Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice link with the EA Guidelines?

An example of an EA Guidelines Chapter with the equivalent Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice chapter is provided below. This demonstrates the level of auditable requirements needed for each of the environmental issues.

Snapshot – Chapter on Land and Soil Management within Freshcare Green Code

The Land and Soil Management section in the Horticulture EA Guidelines relates to Element E1 - Land and Soil Management in the Freshcare Green Code. The Guidelines provide the reference material, while the Green Code provides the compliance steps.

In the Green Code the Element E1 requires growers to do the below:

Risk assessment procedures shall be implemented to minimise the risk of any adverse I mpacts on land and soil.
Steps required to ensure compliance with this Element of the Code are:

E1.1 Soil erosion caused by water
The risk of soil erosion caused by water shall be assessed for each site / horticultural activity. A record shall be kept of the risk assessment
Future changes in horticultural activity may require the risk to be re-assessed

Together the EA Guidelines and the Green Code provide the resources for the grower to understand, implement, assess and audit their environmental activities.

Implementation
HAL and the Horticulture for Tomorrow program are working with Freshcare to roll out the Guidelines and Green Code to industry. Horticulture for Tomorrow is also linking these on-farm practices with catchment scale activities through the establishment of Industry NRM Groups across Australia. These groups are identifying the issues related to linking the farm practices with catchment condition targets. Outcomes from these groups will be made available to industry in 2007.

Guidelines

Do you want to find out about the national Guidelines for Environmental Assurance for Australian Horticulture? Then you need a copy of the Environmental Assurance Guidelines.

Click here