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ASSURED COMBINABLE CROPS

STANDARDS 2005 - 2006 with explanatory notes in Italics

Where new standards have been introduced these are marked 'New' and where a significant revision to a standard has been made these are marked 'Revised'

Scope: This is a whole farm assurance scheme for combinable crops. Combinable crops are cereals, oilseeds and protein crops. Throughout the text the word 'grain' refers to all these crops. The producer may not market assured and non assured combinable crops produced on the same holding.

HACCP: The standards have been drawn up following a review and risk assessment of the industry. The standards are therefore based on HACCP principles and producers, through compliance with the standards are undertaking a risk management process.

Record Keeping: The basis of any assured production system is accurate and methodical record keeping. The assessor visiting your farm will need to be satisfied that you have up-to-date records documenting your procedures. Throughout the text the need for a record to be kept is shown by an (R) appearing next to the relevant paragraph.

Critical Failure Points: Within the standards a number of paragraphs are highlighted "Critical Failure Points". Where these standards are not met, certification cannot be achieved until corrective action has been taken and objective evidence received by the Certification Body. A revisit may be necessary, at the producer's expense. If the Certification Body discovers at the next routine surveillance assessment that the CFP has not been corrected the producers status will become 'suspended' pending rectification and the producer will then be required to bear the costs of a full re-assessment of the business. If a Critical Failure Point occurs and corrective action cannot be taken certification cannot be achieved for that holding.

Environmental Standards: The standards have been drawn up with close reference to the three DEFRA Codes of Good Practice for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water (as listed under literature requirements) and the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings (Green Code) Throughout the text the standards which relate to environmental issues have been shown by an (E) appearing next to the relevant paragraph.

At the time of going to print Defra propose that the 'Green Code' will be replaced by a new statutory code- the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products' in the autumn of 2005

Legislation and Codes of Practice: All combinable crops farms must comply with all current relevant legislation and possess and be aware of all relevant Codes of Practice

Prosecutions: Producers shall notify their Certification Body of any prosecutions applicable to scope brought or likely to be brought against them with respect to, Food Safety or environmental legislation, including Cross-Compliance requirements.

ASSESSMENT FREQUENCY

Revised The assessment frequency will be once in every crop cycle, prior to harvest, with a minimum of six months and a maximum of eighteen months between assessments.

LITERATURE REQUIREMENTS

All the publications listed below can be ordered direct

1.0 An awareness of the standards within the DEFRA Codes of Good Practice for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water are a requirement of the scheme as is members' conformance with them. Copies must be available for inspection by the assessor. (E)

DEFRA Codes of Good Practice for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water are available on request at the time of application/renewal. Copies are available free of charge from the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/publications) All members must comply with the sections in the codes relevant to combinable crops production.

1.1. Everyone involved in the handling of pesticides must be conversant with the guidelines and have a copy available for inspection of the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings. (E)

The DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides is available on request at the time of application/renewal. All members must comply with the sections in the code relevant to combinable crops production.
At the time of going to print Defra propose that the 'Green Code' will be replaced by a new statutory code- the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products' in the autumn of 2005

1.2. Members should employ a crop protection strategy intended to avoid unnecessary chemical applications and take account of environmentally sensitive areas on the farm. Choosing pest and disease resistant varieties where available will contribute to this, as will the choice of seed treatments appropriate to the perceived risk to the crop and the use of threshold-based or other recognised decision-making systems. (E)

Members will find LEAF's new "Handbook for Integrated Farm Management" invaluable in identifying best environmental practice on the farm (E) only available from LEAF

1.3. The Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) booklet "Grain Storage Guide" is required reading, with regard to all aspects of grain store management.

The HGCA Grain Storage Guide is available on request from HGCA

1.4. Members should be aware of, and comply with, the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella. (Except for Section 6 and Section 7.5)

The DEFRA Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella (COP COS Storage of Animal Feedstuffs PB 2202) is available from DEFRA Publications.

1.5. Members should be aware of, and must comply with, the Food Safety Act 1990.

The guide to the Food Safety Act 1990 is available on request from FSA. Enquiries to FSA.

1.6 Deleted

1.7. DEFRA's Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB 209,
ISBN 0112430589) is available free of charge and is required reading. See website www.defra.gov.uk

NEW
1.8 Single Farm Payment Scheme Cross Compliance Guidance for Soil Management.

Cross compliance guidance is available free of charge from www.defra.gov.uk/publications

CROP PROTECTION

2.0 Where an adviser, consultant or trade representative advises on pesticide usage on a member's farm, it is the member's responsibility to obtain the relevant BASIS qualification number and to ensure the adviser, consultant or trade representative has read the ACCS manual and agrees to advise on pesticide use in compliance with it. (R)

2.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All operators of spraying equipment on a member's farm(s) must be registered with NRoSO (see Standard 2.18), and have a certificate of competence under the Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) or be born before 31 December 1964 (Grandfather Rights) and have undergone training. This applies equally to operators of granular pesticide applicators and seed dressing equipment. Untrained staff may be allowed to apply pesticides only for the purpose of training, under the continuous supervision of an operator holding the relevant certificate of competence. (Grandfather Rights do not allow them to be trainers). Operators of pesticide applicators for stores and crops in store must have appropriate training.

The assessor will wish to inspect all certificates of competence as issued by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) and/or training certificates. (R) A full list of certificates of competence and the relevant test module is available under Appendix 2. (Where Grandfather rights apply additional training is recommended).

2.2 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
When not in use, all pesticides must be kept in their original packaging, in a locked secure ventilated (walk in stores only) store, displaying the correct warning sign. The store must be constructed to contain the pesticide in the event of spillage, fire or other accidental occurrence and have the means to contain accidental spillages. Materials used for floors and walls must be impervious and a bund of similar impervious material must be in place, suitable to contain 110% of the maximum contents.

An inventory of stored pesticides must be kept with a copy held in the office. (E)

Where small quantities of pesticides are stored, the use of lockable metal containers is acceptable. Similarly chest deep freezers are acceptable on the assumption they are bunded or relined with impervious material. Where it is inappropriate to display a pesticide warning sign, i.e. to deter vandalism/theft, the local fire brigade must be informed in writing, of the location of the store, whereby prompt action can be taken in the event of fire. Sand/absorbent granules are a suitable means of containing accidental spillage.

Members must be aware of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publication - Guidance on storing pesticide for farmers and other professional users - Ref AIS No. 16

2.3 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Stored pesticides must be clearly labelled in English and members must check annually that stores do not contain pesticides which have had approval revoked. Any out of date or unapproved pesticide must be disposed of according to the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticide on Farms and Holdings.

Information regarding the approval and use of pesticide products can be found on the PSD website www.pesticide.gov.uk. In addition, although of no legal standing, the UK Pesticide Guide published annually by CAB International and The British Crop Protection Council, the "Green Book", is a useful summary of pesticides and the uses for which they are approved. It provides guidance on compliance with the law and the choice of the safest and most effective pesticide.

2.4 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
A safe method of transporting pesticides around the farm(s) must be adopted. (E)

Transport containers must be secure, lockable and carry a warning sign. Assessors may wish to satisfy themselves that the methods employed are in accordance with DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings.

2.5 Deleted - (See 1.2)

2.6 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
It is an offence under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) (COPR) and the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2003 (PPPR) to apply pesticides outside the statutory conditions of use. These are given in the 'statutory box' on the product label. With minor crops, however, many pesticides approvals are not given under the label but are approved for use under the so-called 'long term arrangements' or by 'specific off-label approval'. The conditions of use that apply in the latter case are contained in the 'Specific Off-Label Approvals' (known as SOLAs) documents issued by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD). It is necessary for the user to have read and understood the conditions contained therein. 'Long term arrangements' and 'specific off-label approvals' must be recorded where they are in use. Producers must have copies of the relevant SOLA documents that are available on the PSD website www.pesticides.gov.uk under 'Farmers and Growers' or from ADAS Consulting Ltd, Aylesford, Telephone: 01732 521520 or from regional NFU offices (for NFU members only). 'Notices of Approval' are not required. (E)

2.7 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All pesticide applications must comply with the requirements of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) (COPR), the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2003 (PPPR). Members must implement a staff training programme for pesticide application, handling and storage which covers legislative requirements and industry Codes of Practice relevant to the operations being carried out (Grandfather rights do not allow the holders to train others) The statutory Codes of Practice from DEFRA and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) must also be adhered to. Members must have appropriate personal protection equipment on site, including boots, gloves, coveralls, apron and face shield. (E)

Revised Members should also consult their customers to determine if any additional commercial restrictions exist

2.8 If reduced spray volume applications are used, the guidelines given in the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings should be adhered to. (E)
At the time of going to print Defra propose that the 'Green Code' will be replaced by a new statutory code- the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products' in the autumn of 2005

2.9 Members should identify high pollution risk areas on the farm where applications of pesticides
should not be carried out. Farm maps should be used to show these areas. (E)

2.10 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All pesticide applications whether carried out by the member or a qualified contractor must be recorded and kept for a minimum period of 3 years, as stated in the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticide on Farms and Holdings. These records must be made available to the assessor and should include: Name of equipment operator, crop and growth stage, crop location/field name, area to treat, chemical required, rate of application, product name, volume of water, reason for application, special precautions required (i.e. LERAP), date of application, time of application, weather conditions, including wind speed and direction, at application. (R) (E)
At the time of going to print Defra propose that the 'Green Code' will be replaced by a new statutory code- the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products' in the autumn of 2005

For pesticide applications to stored grain, granular applications and seed dressing, record the date, product and rate of application. (R)

Members who use the services of contractors must ensure they have the necessary certificate of competence and that they observe both the provisions of the Law and of this scheme in respect of all aspects of the use of pesticides.

Pesticides must never be applied to crops in unsuitable conditions, i.e. high winds or in other situations where there is likely to be drift onto hedgerows, woodlands and wetlands, into private homes or gardens, or into public places such as parks or school playgrounds or other non target areas. Engineering control systems designed to reduce drift must always be considered.

The use of a wind speed meter is recommended. A wind speed guide is available in Section 6, Part 3 of the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings.

2.11 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Appropriate action must be taken to avoid contamination of watercourses. (E)

Members must comply with statutory no spray (buffer) zones and be aware of and record Local Environmental Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAP). (R) Guidance on the LERAP scheme can be found on the PSD website www.pesticide.gov.uk.

2.12 Application of pesticides, post flowering can only be made for reasons of:
a) Pest or disease control, where thresholds have been exceeded
b) As a harvest aid (desiccants etc)
c) Couch grass or other perennial weed control (E)

Advice on pest thresholds can be obtained from advisors, crop consultants or product literature.

2.13 Local beekeepers must be given a minimum of 48 hours notice of the intention to apply a
pesticide that is potentially hazardous to bees. (E)

Members should be aware of their local beekeeper spray liaison contact's telephone number.

2.14 Crop sprayers must be calibrated and maintained at the beginning of the season and re-calibrated during the season especially after replacing any part of the spray delivery system. Regular maintenance and calibrations should also be carried out where applicable on knapsack sprayers, granular/dust applicators, seed dressing applicators and applicators of storage pesticides. The assessor will inspect full records of both maintenance and calibrations. (R) (E)

It is not necessary for sprayers to be re-calibrated when minor alterations are made (e.g. replacement of a nozzle). Sprayers should, however, be re-calibrated following an overhaul as part of general maintenance routine. The maintenance and calibration of spraying equipment can be carried out by the member or their staff, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2.15 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Members must follow the correct procedure as described in the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings for the disposal of spray washings and empty pesticide containers. (E)

At the time of going to print Defra propose that the 'Green Code' will be replaced by a new statutory code- the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products' in the autumn of 2005

Members should also be aware of, and comply with, the Ground Water Regulations 1998.

2.16 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Having regard to residue levels and environmental impact, members must follow all pesticide label recommendations in particular regarding:
a) Maximum permitted dose rates.
b) Restrictions on repeated applications to a single crop.
c) Harvest interval and latest application stage. (E)

Care must be taken when an active ingredient may be available in different products or formulations. This information will be on the product label.

2.17 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
A written contingency plan must be available to all staff detailing the action to be taken in the
event of a spillage or leak. Emergency contacts and numbers must be readily available to the producer and staff in the event of an accident e.g. Emergency Agency, doctor, Environmental Health Officer, HSE etc. There must be adequate washing facilities for washing off accidental splash or spillage on operators. (E)

2.18 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Sprayer operators are required to join the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO). Where spraying operations are contracted, it is the responsibility of the member to ascertain and record, the sprayer operator's name and valid NRoSO membership number.

An application form can be obtained from NRoSO Telephone 024 7669 6553 Fax 024 7669 6128 Email: information@nroso.org.uk or downloaded from www.nroso.org.uk

NEW CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
2.19 All sprayers used on farms that have a sprayed area of combinable crops and sugar beet greater than 50ha must be tested prior to harvest 2006 and annually thereafter. All sprayers used on farms that have a sprayed area of combinable crops and sugar beet of 50ha or less must be tested prior to harvest 2007 and once every two years thereafter.

GRANULAR/DUST APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES

3.0 All equipment must be calibrated and recorded (Standard 2·14 refers). (R)

3.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Operators must have the relevant certificate of competence or Grandfather Rights and under gone training (note 2·1 refers). (R)

SEED/SEED TREATMENT

4.0 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Only approved chemicals may be used for the treatment of home saved seed and all applications recorded (note 2·7 refers). (R)

4.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Operators must have the relevant certificate of competence or Grandfather Rights and under gone training (note 2.1 refers). (R)

4.2 All certificates/lot numbers and any seed treatment of purchased seed must be available for inspection. (R)

4.3 There must be adequate washing facilities for washing off accidental splash or spillage on operators

4.4 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Adequate provision including secure segregation must be made to ensure that there is no contamination of stored grain from treated seed or seed treatment chemicals.

FERTILISER AND CROP NUTRITION

5.0 Where an adviser, consultant or trade representative advises on fertiliser usage etc on a member's farm, it is the member's responsibility to obtain the relevant FACTS qualification number. The member should also ensure the adviser, consultant or trade representative has read the ACCS manual and agrees to advise on fertiliser use in compliance with it. (R)

5.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Granular fertiliser must be stored on a hard, dry surface, preferably under cover, where spillage can be contained rather than carried by run off water into watercourses etc. (E)

Members should be aware of, the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990. Members should also be aware of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 and must comply with the requirements of the Agricultural Exemption if transporting AN fertiliser on a road between two pieces of land.

5.2 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Liquid fertiliser must be stored in suitable secure tanks/bowsers preferably away from watercourses. (E)

5.3 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
A written contingency plan must be available to all staff detailing the action to be taken in the event of a spillage or leak. Emergency contacts and numbers must be readily available to the producer and his staff in the event of an accident e.g. Environment Agency, doctor, Environmental Health Officer, HSE, etc. There must be adequate washing facilities for washing off accidental splash or spillage on operators. (E)

Liquid fertiliser tanks (if not bunded to Environmental Agency Standards) must have lockable or removable taps. Sight-glasses, if fitted, must be secured to avoid accidental or malicious spillage.

5.4 Fertiliser spreaders must be adequately maintained and calibrated annually or when changing from one product to another. Full records of both maintenance and calibration will be inspected by the assessor. (R)

The maintenance and calibration of fertiliser spreaders can be carried out by members or their staff according to the manufacturers instructions.

5.5 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Headland kits must be fitted where provided or equivalent action be taken, to prevent spreading fertiliser into ditches, field margins etc. (E)

Tilting spreaders or wider field margins are examples of other methods used to avoid contamination of ditches etc.

5.6 Members are required to record the date, type and rate of all fertiliser and organic manures applied to each field. (R)

5.7 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
The application of untreated sewage sludge to land used for food production ceased on 31 December 1999. Sewage sludge applications must be in accordance with the current Code of Practice for Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge and any sewage applications must be recorded. For further information, see Appendix 3. (E)

Acceptance of treated sewage sludge by the scheme does not imply acceptance by all end users. Members should first check with buyers.

5.8 Members must undertake regular soil analysis (at least every 4 to 5 years) for major nutrients to help optimise fertiliser applications and maximise soil potential. (R) (E)

Revised DEFRA's Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB 209,
ISBN 0112430589) is available free of charge and is required reading. See website www.defra.gov.uk

5.9 Application of crop nutrients and organic materials should be matched to the requirements of the crop, its growth stage and the prevailing weather conditions. (E)

5.10 Producers should know the classification of soils on their farms and understand their characteristics and production potential. Production practices should be adjusted to maintain soil structure and control erosion and this can be demonstrated by a written Soil Management Plan. (E)

A Soil Management Plan is available to download from www.defra,gov.uk

5.11 Deleted

5.12 Fertiliser applications, including organic should be avoided wherever possible to continuously
frozen ground or in waterlogged conditions, to minimise leaching and pollution of watercourses. (E)

Revised Members should be aware of their legal obligation if they farm within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) and must comply with Action Programme Rules

CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING

6.0 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Buildings used for temporary holding of grain must be weatherproof and all roof leaks, broken sheeting, guttering etc must be repaired prior to storage of grain. Producers must record when the temporary holding areas are finally cleared. (R)

The suitability, or otherwise, of a site must be considered in relation to the potential hazard to the crop. This will depend on the length of time that the grain will remain "in situ" and on a range of site-specific factors. Where only temporary holding facilities are available for storage of grain on farms, or where grain is moved directly from the combine such members will be classed as 'Production Only' and membership numbers will be prefixed with the letter 'P'.
Temporary holding is for a period of up to 30 September, or 4 weeks after harvesting, whichever is the later. Members should be aware that intakes might refuse grain with a "P" sticker delivered outside this period. Where temporary holding and long-term storage exist on the same farm, grain from the temporary holding must be cleared as above. The assessor will record where temporary holdings and long term stores are situated and assessments may be carried out the following September / October to ensure clearance in the timescales permitted.

6.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Any buildings used for temporary holding of grain must have suitable floors of solid construction to prevent contamination of grain with earth, stones, debris etc. Walls must be constructed of suitable material to prevent contamination of the stored grain.

6.2 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All light bulbs, tubes, lamps, windows or any other glass material must be protected or constructed to avoid broken glass contaminating the grain. This applies to temporary holdings, long-term stores and all grain movement areas.

The assessor will carry out a risk assessment of all glass within the grain storage or grain movement area. Where no risk of contamination of the grain is perceived remedial action may not be required. Polycarbonate or plastic covers replacing glass are acceptable, as are shatter resistant bulbs and tubes. Toughened glass light covers are not acceptable. High wattage halogen lights may be difficult to protect.

6.3 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Buildings used for long-term storage of grain must be weatherproof and all roof leaks, broken sheeting, guttering etc must be repaired prior to storage of grain.

Long-term stores should ideally be dedicated to grain storage although multi-purpose/mixed usage stores are acceptable to the scheme.

6.4 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Buildings used for long-term storage of grain must have solid floors and suitable walls and doors.
Revised
Floors must be of solid construction (see note 6·1). Bituminous floors and bituminous fillers between concrete floor slabs should not be used for the storage of oilseeds. Walls must also be of solid construction to prevent contamination from water, rodents etc. Doors should fit and close properly to prevent ingress of water, rodents and birds. They can be constructed from close meshed netting or similar material assuming they are fit for purpose.

6.5 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Action must be taken to prevent bird, rodent and domestic animal entry to all long-term grain storage. Entry points around gutters, eaves, doors, loading pipes etc should be secured. Doors should be kept shut wherever possible and stores kept as dark as possible.

Where stores are multi purpose/mixed usage it may not be possible, for safety reasons, to darken stores, this is acceptable.

6.6 Grain stored for more than a few days may need conditioning. It may also need to be dried
and/or cooled. Avoid over-drying and causing heat damage to the grain.

If grain requires drying, it must be carried out as soon as possible to avoid damage to the grain through heating, mould or smell and at a temperature consistent with preserving the grain quality required for the specific end use. Grain that is not dried may deteriorate and is at risk in terms of the development of mycotoxins (For further information see HGCA Grain Storage Guide)

6.7 Longer-term grain storage requires a specific storage strategy. The temperature and moisture content of grain must be monitored. Any rise in temperature must be investigated. Appropriate action must be taken to remedy water ingress, bird and rodent activity, and hot spots. Insect traps (Pitfall traps and equivalent) in stored grain must be used as a means of monitoring insect/mite activity. If insects/mites are detected, refer to HGCA Grain Storage Guide or seek further advice. In all cases records must be kept of the dates of all checks and follow up action, where applicable. (R)
Revised
Initially the temperature and moisture content of stored grain must be monitored. . Where storage records can demonstrate that temperature has been stabilised over a period of time, it may be permissible for the interval between store temperature checks to be extended. If there is no evidence of bird and rodent activity, again the interval between checks may be extended. In all cases records must be kept of the dates of all checks and follow up action where appropriate.

6.8 Moisture meters and temperature probes should be calibrated annually and the results Revised recorded. (R)

For production only members, a temperature probe is not compulsory.

6.9 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
If any post harvest pesticides are used on grain, the product used, dose rate, date and reason for application must be recorded. (R)
Revised
The usage of post harvest pesticides is not a scheme requirement. No chemically active post-harvest pesticides are approved for application to oilseeds. SCOPA has approved the use of the following diatomaceous earth products for the post-harvest treatment of oilseeds: DEMETER, SILICO SEC.

6.10 All bulks/bins must be labelled with variety (ies) and field(s) of origin.

6.11 Drying equipment must be regularly maintained in line with manufacturers instructions by demonstrably competent staff to ensure that burners are operating efficiently and the dates recorded. Fuel used in oil-fired driers must meet commercial ISDN/ISO fuel standards. Waste oil must not be used under any circumstances. (R)
Revised
Wherever possible direct oil fired driers should be avoided when drying oilseed rape. Assessors will check whether operators have been trained and whether a copy of the drier manual is available to the operator. It is a legal requirement that all refined oils have a Benzo alpha Pyrene (BaP) level of less than 2ppb. BaP is a measure for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

6.12 Combine harvester settings should be checked regularly before and during harvest and adjusted as necessary to avoid grain damage.

6.13. It is a requirement of the scheme that representative samples of each storage bin and or silo be taken and retained at time of filling. It is recommended that representative samples of each bulk in flat store and/or drying floor be taken and retained at time of filling.

The assessor may wish to examine retained samples. Samples should be retained until the crop is sold. This clause (6·13), complies with the Health and Safety Executive "Confined Spaces Regulations 1997".

6.14 Representative and dated samples of each load leaving the farm must be taken and retained. In
addition, a receipt for each load should be obtained from the driver. (R)

The assessor may wish to examine samples taken from each load which has left the farm. Samples should be retained for 2 months following uplift/delivery, unless grain has been delivered to a central store at harvest time.

6.15 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Rodent control measures must be in place, effective and recorded. (R)

Care must be taken to avoid contamination of stored grain with vermin bait. Baiting stations must be kept well away from the stored grain.

6.16. CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
In the case of flat grain stores, hard outside loading areas must be maintained in a clean and well-drained condition, in line with the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella during storage handling and transport of raw materials.

6.17. CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
A member may not market assured and non-assured combinable crops produced on the same holding.

HYGIENE

Much of the information in this section is derived from the HGCA's "Grain Storage Guide" - recommended reading.
7.0 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All grain store walls, floors and horizontal surfaces of any storage, holding or reception facilities must be cleaned and where appropriate, washed and insecticide treated prior to use (note 7·2 refers). Residues of previous crops must be cleaned from all areas including ventilated floors and beneath conveyers. Cleaning records must be available for inspection by the assessor. (R)

7.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Where livestock buildings are intended for use as grain storage or temporary holding facilities, at least 5 weeks prior to storage they must be thoroughly cleaned, power washed and sanitised with a food grade sanitiser (check manufacturer's instructions). Cleaning records must be available for inspection by the assessor. (R)

7.2 Pre-harvest insect trapping in grain storage areas must be carried out to ensure cleaning operations have been successful. Records must be available for inspection by the assessor. (R)

If evidence of insects is found remedial action must be taken.

Bait bags containing nuts should not be used. Insect baiting in a temporary holding is not compulsory. Where professional contractors have been used for grain store cleaning, insect baiting pre-cleaning by a member or member's staff is not required. Baiting, post cleaning, is required whoever cleans the storage area. From harvest 2003, assessors will assume cleaning/spraying takes place in the preceding June /July and baiting should be carried out between then and harvest.

7.3 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
If any pre-harvest grain store pesticides are used, the site, the product used, dose rate and date of application must be recorded. (R)

Revised The use of pre-harvest grain store pesticide is not compulsory under the scheme.
Members should consult their customers to determine if any additional commercial restrictions on the use of pre-harvest grain store pesticides exist

7.4 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
All equipment used for the harvesting transportation handling, conveying and loading of grain must be thoroughly cleaned and the dates recorded. Where trailers and/or loading buckets have been used for the transportation of farmyard manure or similar material, they must be power-washed and sanitised before being used for grain. A food grade sanitiser must be used (check manufacture's instruction). (R)

Combines, grain trailers, loading buckets, augers, cleaners, conveyers, grain driers and any other handling equipment must be regularly cleaned.

HAULAGE

8.0 The best farm assurance scheme is meaningless if lorries and trailers carrying grain are not clean and fit for the purpose of carrying raw materials entering into the food chain. Producers must visually inspect with the driver all lorries used to transport grain from the farm. Any lorry/trailer not meeting the required standard of cleanliness must not be loaded. Lorries should be covered once loaded and during transit. Members should be aware of the AIC (formerly UKASTA) Code of Practice for Road Haulage, Haulage Contaminant Sensitive List and Haulage Exclusion List. (See Appendix 4)

Any vehicle previously carrying material on the Haulage Contaminant Sensitive List must have been pressure cleaned, and sanitised including the sheet. The driver must be able to provide a record of the cleaning operation. Any vehicle previously carrying material on the Haulage Exclusion List must not be used for the transportation of grain entering the food chain.

8.1 Members should ask the haulage contractor for details of the previous loads carried by the vehicle. (See note 8·0)

8.2 Members must complete and abide by the requirements of the Post Harvest Pesticide Declaration (Grain Passport), and attach their ACCS Harvest Stickers.

CONTRACTORS

9.0 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Revised Where members use the services of a third party including a spray contractor, it is the members responsibility to obtain the relevant certificate of competence number, name of the operator, or to obtain from the contractor confirmation that the relevant employee holds such certificates and ensure they are aware of ACCS Standards. (R)
Contractors should be made aware of Groundwater Regulations 1998 regarding the disposal of spray washings etc, and must comply with any disposal authorisations for the farm.

9.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Revised Where members use the services of a third party seed-dressing contractor, it is the members responsibility to obtain the relevant certificate of competence number, name of the operator, or to obtain from the contractor confirmation that the relevant employee holds such certificates, or to obtain from the contractor the NAAC Verified Seed Scheme membership number and ensure they are aware of ACCS Standards. (R)

9.2 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Revised Where members use the services of a third party granular/dust application contractor, it is the members responsibility to obtain the relevant certificate of competence number, name of the operator, or to obtain from the contractor confirmation that the relevant employee holds such certificates and ensure they are aware of ACCS Standards. (R)

NEW CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
9.3 Where members use the services of a third party including a spray contractor it is the member's responsibility to obtain and record the sprayer operators name and valid NRoSO membership number. and to obtain a copy of the relevant NSTS certificate for the active sprayer used. (R)

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS/MATERIALS
It should be noted that, as of April 2004 the Traceability and Labelling Regulations demand that full traceability at all stages of the supply chain is in place for Genetically Modified Organisms within the EU. The points below should be regarded as additional to these statutory requirements.

10.0 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Revised Genetically modified (GM) crops and other GM materials must be not be stored with other crops unless they are separated by a rigid physical barrier. Animal feed may contain genetically modified material and therefore must be stored separately from crops.

10.1 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
If GM and non GM Crops are mixed in storage, the whole bulk must be regarded as genetically modified and labelled as such.

10.2 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
The Code of Practice on the Provision of Information Relating to Genetically Modified Crops must be adhered to.

SCIMAC Code of Practice available from : The Secretary SCIMAC Tel : 01733 231133
NEW
10.3 CRITICAL FAILURE POINT
Appropriate records must be kept of the variety and GM status for all crops in each field (see also Standard 2.10) Farmers and others in the supply chain are in any case required by law under the Traceability and Labelling Regulations to keep accurate documentation of GM crops for a minimum of five years (see Regulation 1830/03/EC) (R)

COMPLAINTS

11.0 Members should keep a record of customer complaints (R)

FUEL STORAGE

NEW
12.0 Holding areas for diesel tanks and waste should be environmentally safe and conform to the guidelines contained in the Defra Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water (see Standard 1.0)

Members should also comply with the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations 1991.

ACCS Standards 2005 - 2006 final

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