Friend of the Earth - Sustainable Agriculture

Title Page

a) NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION TO BE AUDITED:
Conducted on
NAME AND CONTACT OF THE RESPONSIBLE OF THE ORGANIZATION TO BE AUDITED
Location

1. SYSTEM OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

1.1 The Organization has a social and environmental management system that involves necessary politics, programs, procedures and registers showing the conformity to these normative requirements
1.2 The Organization has identified a person responsible to verify the conformity to the social and environmental management system.
1.3 Any documentation about social and environmental management system has been compiled and archived for three years at least.
1.4 The Organization has made a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on its own productive system.

1.5 Staff management

1.5.1 The Organization has defined practices that prevent the access to working facilities to unauthorized people
1.5.2 It is conducted the formation of internal and external staff (when necessary). Register performed formation activities. Indicate if there have been planned themes related to environmental aspects protection or to prevent practices that are dangerous on this front.

1.6 Emergency procedures

1.6.1 There are emergency procedures in the company. Report the following elements at least: agricultural company address or map, contact person/s, list of emergency telephone numbers, position of the nearest phone, fire extinguishers position, spots with centralized electr
1.6.2 There are procedures to implement relevant corrective measures in case of environmental accidents (ex. Leakage of fertilizers)

1.7 Maintenance of agricultural equipment

1.7.1 They are maintained to prevent breakages and anomalies that can pollute the surrounding environment.

2. LEGAL CONFORMITY

2.1 The Organization provides evidences related to the conformity of production and agricultural operations to every environmental law and normative at local, federal, statal and international levels
2.2 Medical authorisation The Organization disposes of its own identification number.

3. ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION

3.1 From the date of the certification request forward, the Organization must not destroy any natural ecosystem. Also, from January 1st 1950 forward, no natural ecosystem shall have been destroyed by agricultural company management activities.

3.2 Mitigation measures

3.2.1 If a natural ecosystem has been destroyed by relevant management activities done by the agricultural company since January 1st 1950, the Organization must have documented the destruction extent and ecological impact.
3.2.2 If a natural ecosystem has been destroyed by relevant management activities done by the agricultural company since January 1st 1950, the Organization must have developed, helped by an expert, a mitigation plan in compliance with the current legislation and that compensates for the negative impact. The plan includes CO2 compensations purchase.
3.2.3 If a natural ecosystem has been destroyed by relevant management activities done by the agricultural company since January 1st 1950, the Organization must have implemented this mitigation plan activities.
3.3 The Organization has done reclamation and/or maintenance works in areas not intended for cultivation, and terrestrial and aquatic environments existing in the site, including the reforestation of areas unsuited to cultivation in the agricultural company.
3.4 Production area must not affect negatively national parks, faunistic shelters, biotope networks, forest reserves, buffer zones or other public or private areas of biological resources protection
3.5 The organization has to perform a plan to keep or to restore natural ecosystems interconnection in his borders, considering habitat interconnection in landscape terms: for example, using elements such as native vegetation on roadsides and along water courses or river banks, trees, living hedges and barriers, presence of specific areas for biodiversity conservation and preservation.

3.6 Aquatic ecosystems protection

3.6.1 In accordance with the used crop, the Organization protects aquatic ecosystems from erosion and displacement and agrochemicals runoff, for example by creating protected areas on rivers banks, perennial or temporary water courses, bays, sources, lakes, swamps and other natural water courses

4. WILDLIFE AND FLORA PROTECTION

4.1 The Organization has made, and it keeps an inventory of wildlife and fauna identified in the agricultural company every year
4.2 The organization takes special measures to protect species considered vulnerable or at a higher risk in the IUCN Red List in the agricultural company http://www.iucnredlist.org/
4.3 The organization protects and restores ecosystems that provide habitat for fauna and flora in the Organization site, including the ones that provides habitats for fauna that cross the agricultural company during migration.

4.4 Regulation of hunting, capture, extraction or wild animals trade activities in the organization:

4.4.1 Hunting, capture, extraction or wild animals trade activities must be prohibited in the agricultural company, unless there are special and documentable authorizations.
4.4.2 When there is the authorization for hunting, capture, extraction or wild animals trade activities in the organization, activities must not involve endangered species.
4.4.3 When there is the authorization for hunting, capture, extraction or wildlife trade in the organization, activities must not have a negative impact on ecological functions or processes that are important to local and agricultural ecosystem sustainability
4.5 The Organization does not carry out deforestation practices to extend cultivation areas

5. USE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

5.1 Chemical products, fuels, oils and other possibly hazardous for people and environment substances are treated in order to avoid food or environmental pollution, or to endangering human health.
5.2 Acquisition, deposit, transportation, use and disposal of these products must follow the instructions dictated by the current legislation, so as not to create problems for workers and environmental pollution.

6. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM

6.1 Crop rotation is applied for any annual crop. Annual rotation includes at least 2 different crops. One single crop, considered in the rotation, must cover at least 10% of the usable agricultural area and it has to be not more than 50% of it. Regarding horticultural crops: at least 3 different vegetal species during 5 years. Where it is not possible to use an alternative crop, other equivalent agronomic techniques have to be adopted as possible (for ex. Recourse to the annual reverse on at least 30% of SAU)
6.2 The organization calculates agricultural yield per input unit (fertility, water or energy, where applicable), and it implements strategies to keep or to improve reference parameters used.

6.3 Company production

6.3.1 The OR (Orchard Register or Company Register) is correctly compiled. (indication of sown varieties and of the successive cultivation practices).

6.4 Use of agrochemicals

6.4.1 The Organization uses biological, chemical, biotechnical and agronomical defence resources rationally.
6.4.2 The Organization has a plan to find monitoring strategies on pest, weeds and diseases prevalence, including biological control practices and reducing the use of chemicals.
6.4.3 The organization tracks number and population of species useful for biological control, and it implements strategies to improve their habitat and to introduce new useful species.
6.4.4 When it is necessary to use pesticides, the organization must: Use slightly persistent products with low environmental impact and limited residual action, according to current legislation.
6.4.5 The Organization does not use inputs that are considered ''highly toxic'' by current legislation about weeds, parasites and diseases control

7. SOIL RESOURCES

7.1 The organization registers and keeps updated the following parameters:
7.1.1 Soil type E
7.1.2 Soil erosion R
7.1.3 Soil cover E
7.1.4 Soil organic substance E
7.1.5 Soil biological activity I
7.1.6 Soil degradation R
7.1.7 Soil nutrients
7.2 The Organization has defined objectives, management and soil conservation strategies, including evaluation methods to achieve these objectives
7.3 Every year, the Organization evaluates results in terms of objectives, and it adapts strategies consequently.

8. WATER RESOURCES

8.1 Superficial and underground waters

8.1.1 Water used for agricultural purposes is analysed once a year at least
8.1.2 Wells are closed, in order to avoid contaminations.
8.2 Any superficial or underground water used by the company for agricultural or production purposes must have concessions and permissions from the corresponding legal or environmental authorities
8.3 The organization must not drain or deposit industrial or domestic waste waters in natural water courses without demonstrating that the drained water complies with relevant legal requirements and that its physical and biochemical characteristics will not deteriorate the receiving water course. These standards must be respected also in case animal grazing is conducted in the organization's fields

8.4 In case there are not legal requirements, drained waste waters must respect the following minimum criteria:

8.4.1 Biochemical Oxygen Request (BOD5, 20) or Total Suspended Solids: < 50 mg/L
8.4.2 pH: 6.0 ÷ 9.0
8.4.3 Fat and oils: < 30 mg/L
8.4.4 Fecal coliform: absent

8.5 Rain water

8.5.1 Rainwater is collected to be used for cleaning operations or other practices.
8.5.2 Tanks are closed to avoid contaminations.

9. EMISSIONS CONTROL

9.1 The organization has identified GHG emissions sources in agricultural phase and it had defined reduction objectives and strategies for their achievement.
9.2 The organizations have identified dusts and micro particulates emissions sources in the agricultural company. The organization has defined reduction objectives and strategies for their achievement.
9.3 Regarding used pesticides, the organization implements at least two of the following phases to reduce displacement risk: 1. enlarge droplets size; 2. choose formulations that aren't subject to displacement; 3. define vegetal buffers for alluvial or swampy areas.
9.4 The organization does not use ozone-disruptive products/substances

10. WASTE MANAGEMENT

10.1 Organic and inorganic waste deposit does not affect the building or the surrounding environment negatively (for ex.: causing dispersion or runoff).
10.2 Crops residues and organic waste that do not come from crops and that are contaminated by biological or agrochemical sources are not composted, mulching or used in other ways.
10.3 There are procedures to separate organic waste from inorganic one in order to simplify their collection for re-use/recycling/composting (for ex: pallet, woods, trunks, paper, cartons, fertiliser and waste that come from alimentary transformation).
10.4 The Organization re-uses or recycles any waste coming from inorganic materials that can be reused or recycled in accordance with local legislation on separate collection.

10.5 Muds

10.5.1 The Organization, whether it would receive muds or other materials from external installations, and it uses them in fertilization practices, disposes of relevant documentations in order to demonstrate their non-polluting properties

10.6 Containers and other disposable packaging

10.6.1 There is a conservation method of materials used in agricultural activities. If yes, describe it.
10.6.2 There is a disposal method of materials used in agricultural activities. If yes, describe it.
10.6.3 Specialized companies are involved in these activities
10.6.4 There are evidences of a proper disposal (delivery notes, other documents).

11. POWER MANAGEMENT

11.1 The effective total of the net energy consumption coming from operations is annually calculated including: 1. the direct consumption of energy externally acquired (both renewable and nonrenewable); I 16 2. internal renewable energy production and consumption; 3. fuels used for transport and agricultural machinery functioning; 4. grey energy use and production (for ex. input, packaging, equipment).
11.2 Objectives for energetic resources reduction have been outlined, along with evaluation strategies and methods to achieve these objectives
11.3 The Organization undertakes to obtain the energy it needs using renewable energy systems. Whether not all the needed energy comes from renewable sources, the Organization undertakes to acquire ''green credits'' on the market.

12. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

12.1 The organization must respect human rights according to the following requirements:

12.1.1 Respect international guidelines and ILO regarding child labor
12.1.2 Pay workers with salaries conforming to the legal minimum at least
12.1.3 Assure employees have access to healthcare
12.1.4 Apply security measures in accordance with legal requirements
12.1.5 Obtain SA8000 certification

Friend of the Earth - Sustainable Agriculture

Go digital today!

Convert your paper checklists into digital forms

1.5 Staff management

1.6 Emergency procedures

1.7 Maintenance of agricultural equipment

3.2 Mitigation measures

3.6 Aquatic ecosystems protection

4.4 Regulation of hunting, capture, extraction or wild animals trade activities in the organization:

6.3 Company production

6.4 Use of agrochemicals

8.1 Superficial and underground waters

8.4 In case there are not legal requirements, drained waste waters must respect the following minimum criteria:

8.5 Rain water

10.5 Muds

10.6 Containers and other disposable packaging

12.1 The organization must respect human rights according to the following requirements:

Related checklists

Friend of the Earth - Sustainable Agriculture

Free Friend of the Earth - Sustainable Agriculture Checklist

Go digital today!

Convert your paper checklists into digital forms

1.5 Staff management

1.6 Emergency procedures

1.7 Maintenance of agricultural equipment

3.2 Mitigation measures

3.6 Aquatic ecosystems protection

4.4 Regulation of hunting, capture, extraction or wild animals trade activities in the organization:

6.3 Company production

6.4 Use of agrochemicals

8.1 Superficial and underground waters

8.4 In case there are not legal requirements, drained waste waters must respect the following minimum criteria:

8.5 Rain water

10.5 Muds

10.6 Containers and other disposable packaging

12.1 The organization must respect human rights according to the following requirements:

Related checklists