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Click to view all ENVIRONMENT

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

ENVIRONMENT

CH.EC.1 Key

Standards

Potential pollutants must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution to crops, feedstuffs, animals, soils, groundwater and watercourses. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.1.a

Fuel tanks are bunded where required by legislation (see Appendix).

CH.EC.1.b

Agrochemicals are kept in a well-maintained store which allows for containment of any spillages.

CH.EC.1.c

Manufactured fertiliser is stored on a hard, dry surface.

CH.EC.1.d

Fertilisers that pose a combustion or oxidiser hazard are stored in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet.

CH.EC.1.1

Standards

Organic manures must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution to crops, feedstuffs, animals, soils, groundwater and watercourses. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.1.1.a

Organic manures (not including storage within a building) are not stored: - within 10m of inland freshwaters or coastal waters - within 50m of a spring, well or borehole - where there is significant risk of runoff entering watercourses

CH.EC.1.1.b

Manure heap (not including field heaps) effluent runoff does not enter a watercourse, either directly or through land drains, roads, tracks or other pathways.

CH.EC.1.1.c

Where manure is stored in temporary field heaps, these must be moved at least every 12 months.

CH.EC.2

Standards

In the case of packaging breakages potential pollutants must be transferred to a suitable container. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.2.a

Container has an appropriate safe closure cap or bag tie.

CH.EC.2.b

The original label information is displayed.

CH.EC.4 Key

Standards

PPPs must be appropriate for their intended use. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.4.a

Manufacturer’s instructions are followed.

CH.EC.4.b

PPPs are approved for use.

CH.EC.4.c

Unapproved product is kept in a segregated area of the pesticide store, pending collection for disposal at the earliest opportunity; clearly marked with signs/labels stating that it must not be used.

CH.EC.4.1

Standards

PPPs are mixed/handled in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution. (Revised)

CH.EC.5 Key

Standards

PPPs must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.5.a

PPP application does not occur in areas of high pollution risk, as identified on farm map.

CH.EC.5.b

PPP application does not occur in unsuitable conditions e.g. when there is a risk of drift or where soil conditions are unsuitable e.g. waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil or where the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.

CH.EC.5.c

Buffer zone requirements of the PPP being applied are complied with.

CH.EC.6

Standards

PPP application must be undertaken by competent operators.

How you will be measured

CH.EC.6.a

NPTC Pesticide Application Certificates/Lantra Awards Level 2 Pesticides qualification.

NPTC/Lantra certificates

CH.EC.7

Standards

All PPP application equipment must be maintained and tested. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.7.a

Frequency of testing is carried out as follows: - all new trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprayers are NSTS tested before they are 5 years old - subsequently trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprayers with a boom width over 3m are NSTS tested once every 3 years - subsequently trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprays with a boom width of 3m or under and other application equipment (slug pellet, micro-granular applicators, weed wipers) are NSTS tested once every 6 years - knapsack, handheld and pedestrian equipment does not require an NSTS test but should be checked by the operator at least annually

CH.EC.7.b

Equipment calibration occurs at least annually.
  • NSTS Certificates
  • Calibration records

CH.EC.8

Standards

Records must be kept of all PPP applications. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.8.a

Records include: - field/area identifier - crop/variety - total area, where applicable - sowing or planting date, where applicable - date and time applied - justification/target for application - product name and active ingredient - rate of application - water volume - wind direction and speed - grazing/harvest interval, where applicable - first permissible harvest date, where applicable - name of sprayer operator

CH.EC.8.c

Records are kept for at least 3 years.

PPP application records

CH.EC.8.1

Standards

Where PPPs are used on crops an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is completed. (Upgraded)

IPM plan

CH.EC.9 Key

Standards

Manufactured fertilisers and organic manures must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.9.a

Any materials, including waste materials, that are applied to land should have agricultural benefit.

CH.EC.9.b

Exemptions/permits to use waste materials are held.

CH.EC.9.c

A Manure Management Plan (MMP) is kept and followed when applying organic manures to land.

CH.EC.9.d

MMP includes, at least: - Where and when manure can/cannot be applied (detailed on a map) - Calculations of total area required to apply volume of organic manure produced by stock at legal application rate - Details of Total Spreadable Area available and outlets for any excess organic manure

CH.EC.9.e

Before application the following factors are considered: - NVZ restrictions - soil type - soil condition - crop requirements - slope - weather conditions - the location of watercourses - water supplies and abstraction points (including on neighbouring land)

CH.EC.9.f

Applications are not carried out during high risk times e.g. on waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil or where the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.

CH.EC.9.g

Biosolids are assured under the Biosolids Assurance Scheme.

CH.EC.9.h

Untreated sewage sludge, untreated abattoir or catering derived animal by-products are not applied.

CH.EC.9.i

Applications are made in accordance with Appendix.
  • Exemptions/permits
  • Manure Management Plan (or records detailing required information)

CH.EC.10

Standards

All manufactured fertiliser application equipment must be maintained and calibrated at least annually. (Revised)

Calibration record

CH.EC.11 Key

Standards

All wastes which cannot be utilised are disposed of in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.11.a

Wastes are disposed of by a registered waste carrier.

CH.EC.11.b

Wastes are not burnt, with the exception of vegetation and untreated wood.

CH.EC.11.c

Empty PPP containers are: - cleaned using an integrated pressure rinsing device, or triple rinsed appropriately and the rinsate returned to the spray tank - stored securely - not reused - returned to the supplier or where non-returnable, disposed of via a registered waste carrier

CH.EC.11.d

Redundant PPPs are disposed of via the supplier or a registered waste carrier.
  • Waste transfer notes
  • Waste Carrier name and registration number

CH.EC.12

Standards

Systems are in place to manage waste responsibly. (New)

How you will be measured

CH.EC.12.a

Opportunities are considered for: - reducing the production of waste - re-using waste - recycling waste, plastics in particular
  • EC.1 – Potential pollutants include, but are not limited to, PPPs*, manufactured fertilisers, fuel oil, empty containers, disinfectants and rodenticides. *PPPs are defined as any product with a current MAPP number
  • EC.1.1 – Watercourse = includes, water courses (ditches, streams, rivers), ponds, lakes, reservoirs, canals, estuaries, coastline. Organic manure = livestock manures, sewage sludge/biosolids, compost, digestates, organic industrial wastes. Risk factors which could lead to runoff, which should be taken into account are: slope (especially if greater than 12 degrees), ground cover, proximity to watercourses or wetlands, weather conditions and forecasts, soil type and condition, presence and condition of land drains
  • EC.10 – Annual field calibration and records are acceptable