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Click to view all SOIL MANAGEMENT

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.

Cropping Categories Fresh Produce

Category 0
Those you can eat raw and have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination.

Category 1
Those you can eat raw and which do not have a protective skin that is removed before eating; they may also have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination.

Category 2
Those you can eat raw and which either have protective skin or grow clear of the ground, or that have no history of pathogen contamination.

Category 3
Those that the customer always cooks.

An up-to-date list of the crop categories can be found on the Red Tractor website.

Aim:

SOIL MANAGEMENT

PR.SM.1

Standards

A Soil Management Plan (SMP) must be established and implemented.

How you will be measured

PR.SM.1.a

Production practices are adjusted to maintain soil structure and control erosion.

PR.SM.1.b

The classification of soils on the farm is known.

PR.SM.1.c

Crop rotations are employed whenever possible and details are recorded and retained for at least 3 years.

Soil Management Plan

PR.SM.2

Standards

It is recommended that the Soil Management Plan is informed by site specific data and key information is shared with relevant personnel.

How you will be measured

PR.SM.2.a

Conservation of soil organic matter is considered.

PR.SM.2.b

Scientific tests are undertaken where available to ascertain pest and disease levels in the soil.

PR.SM.2.c

Soil management is discussed with advisers and relevant staff in order to ensure that cultivations are appropriate for soil type, cropping, topography, erosion risk and climate.

PR.SM.2.d

Classification of soil type is included on farm maps.
  • Test results
  • Farm map(s)

PR.SM.3

Standards

It is recommended that the Soil Management Plan includes strategies for minimising compaction.

PR.SM.4

Standards

Substrates (including peat and peat substitutes) are traceable to source and do not originate from designated conservation areas.

PR.SM.5

Standards

Recycling of substrates must be undertaken where feasible and documented.

Substrate recycling records

PR.SM.6

Standards

Where crops are grown in substrates other than soil or water, traceability systems are in place and microbiological risks are considered and managed where necessary. (New)

How you will be measured

PR.SM.6.a

Effective traceability systems are in place to allow for retrospective visibility of batches used.

PR.SM.6.b

Category 0 & 1 only. Microbiological risks are considered within the Risk Assessment and – if the substrate presents a potential microbiological risk – verification testing is completed against defined parameters and to a pre-determined frequency.

PR.SM.6.c

Category 0 & 1 only. Where microbiological testing is completed, non-conforming test results lead to follow up actions to manage any risk to crop.

Microbiological test certificates

  • SM.5 – Where inert substrates are not recycled, the reasons why this is currently unfeasible are documented
  • SM.6 – Where testing of substrates is completed, it is recommended that an indicator organism such as E. coli is tested for. Testing can be completed inhouse or by the substrate supplier. The frequency of testing shall be risk based – testing of each batch is recommended. Where the inherent characteristics of a substrate mean it is unable to support the survival of pathogens, no testing is required.