The Role of On-Farm Quality Assurance and Environmental Management Systems in Achieving Sustainable Agriculture

1.6.1 Cohesive Whole-farm/orchard Programmes
1.6.2 Performance Standards
1.6.3 Environmental Quality Module
1.6.4 Legal Compliance and Policy Attainment
1.6.5 Trade and Environment Policy
1.6.6 Trace-back Systems
1.6.7 Best Practical Options
1.6.8 Community Participation
1.6.9 Beyond Project 98
1.6.10 Farmer and Grower Adoption Behaviour
1.7 Final Comment

1.6 Priorities for Government Follow-up

Several priorities for government follow-up have been identified in order that on-farm quality and environmental management systems maximise their contribution to sustainable agriculture and land management outcomes.

1.6.1 Cohesive Whole-farm/orchard Programmes

A co-ordinated approach is needed if schemes that are developed independently, with differing requirements for the same resources, and with different reporting and auditing procedures are to be avoided. Collaboration between regional councils, farmer/growers/foresters and processor and marketer QA/EM system managers is required to enable on-farm/orchard environmental performance to best support marketing strategies as well as achieve baseline domestic regulatory compliance. The Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, and Environment, should facilitate bringing together the various parties with an interest in on-farm QA/EM systems development, and provide catalyst resources (funding and time) to provide sufficient incentive for the various parties to collaborate.

1.6.2 Performance Standards

Clear performance standards, as against management regulations, are necessary to underpin the development of environmental management systems at the farm level. Currently, environmental indicators are being developed at the Ministry for the Environment and by regional councils at the national and regional level. These will not alone be sufficient to support on-farm QA/EM systems as they are aggregated to a level that is not farm or orchard relevant.

Further work to develop and bring into operation on-farm indicators is required. The Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry and Environment should fund a project(s) that applies a HACCP approach and links industry/company on-farm/orchard quality systems with regional environmental monitoring programmes and the national environmental indicators programme.

1.6.3 Environmental Quality Module

There is a specific need for Government to support the further development and testing of environmental modules for land managers that can integrate into existing and new product quality and food safety assurance programmes. These systems need to be simple and practical, meet regional and district council requirements, and while recognising existing and developing international standards such as ISO, not be limited by them.

1.6.4 Legal Compliance and Policy Attainment

Work is required on how quality systems can be linked in a legally acceptable manner to relevant legislation, including but not restricted to the Resource Management Act 1991. For example, work is required on how to accredit operators, and/or permit what would otherwise be controlled activities, and still provide the certainty needed by the regulatory authorities. While work is underway in the forestry sector, it should be instigated in parallel in the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should collaborate with the Ministry for the Environment on this work.

1.6.5 Trade and Environment Policy

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should initiate an investigation into requirements for mutual recognition of on farm/orchard/forest environmental management systems and performance standards in international trade, and the relationships between industry EMS and WTO trade rules. Government needs to remain vigilant in monitoring international developments and relationships to ensure that New Zealand QA/EM systems that are developing are of a satisfactory standard and will be recognised by trading partners as such.

1.6.6 Trace-back Systems

Retailers and manufacturers have increasing requirements to identify and recall non-conforming product in an effective and cost efficient manner. Raw materials must be traceable back to suppliers. Regulatory requirements for traceability are increasing too. Specific investigation into trace-back and product information systems that match, and out-perform, those being developed by competitors overseas is required. Both industry and the Government have interests in the development of these systems. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should initiate this investigation and seek the collaboration of industry.

1.6.7 Best Practical Options

As indicated earlier, farmers and growers will need very good support in the form of `what and how to monitor' information, as well as problem solving guidelines that enable them to breakdown the integrative whole farm standards and solve specific management problems as they arise. Government needs to target scientific effort to identify and develop management practices for QA/EM systems that improve the attainment of sustainability goals.

1.6.8 Community Participation

Future research should develop ways of including local community expectations into performance standards used in on-farm quality schemes. Having incentives from both the market place and local communities is extremely important in motivating participation in quality assurance schemes.

1.6.9 Beyond Project 98

There may still be value to be added with a New Zealand-wide production standard for sustainable farming and horticultural practices, with international credibility, along the lines of the Bio-Gro organic standard. However, because such a standard would be nationally applicable to a variety of industries and production systems, no individual sector will take on the responsibility to develop it. There is currently insufficient incentive for industry groups to develop such a standard voluntarily. If the real driver is in fact a policy one, the Government needs to take a more proactive role in its development as other national governments are, and as was done with the Environmental Choice programme.

1.6.10 Farmer and Grower Adoption Behaviour

Research needs to be supported into the factors that influence farmer and grower participation in quality assurance and environmental management systems. Understanding the factors influencing decisions to participate, and performance once in the programme, will improve the effectiveness of the programmes. For programmes shown to contribute to sustainable land management, this research will facilitate the achievement of these outcomes.

1.7 Final Comment

Significant progress has been made in the development of on-farm QA/EM systems to date. However, there is still much work to be done. It will be some time before there is widespread use of on-farm QA/EM systems in New Zealand. If Government can facilitate their development and acceptance, it is likely improved sustainability outcomes will be achieved earlier, and at reduced cost to the nation.