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A regular newsletter produced
by NSW Agriculture reporting research findings and activities which underpin
the development of internationally acceptable accreditation systems for
sustainable agricultural production, environment management and new agri-industry
systems. Contributions are welcome. Contact: The Editor,
Gavin Tinning, EMS in Agriculture Workshop Secretariat Ph (02) 66261139
Fax (02) 66283264 Email gavin.tinning@agric.nsw.gov.au
or
Genevieve Carruthers: Ph:
(02) 66261237 Fax (02) 66283264 Email genevieve.carruthers@agric.nsw.gov.au
or
Australian Developments in EMS
A New RIRDC EMS project
Following the EMS in Agriculture workshop last year, RIRDC responded to requests for more information on EMS implementation on farms by funding a 12-month study of farmers who have implemented systematic environmental management approaches. Farmers from each State/ Territory in Australia, and several NZ farmers will be interviewed to determine the drivers for adoption of systematic resource management, costs and benefits of doing so, the methods used and any barriers and/or incentives for EMS adoption by farmers. The project leader, Genevieve Carruthers of NSW Agriculture, is keen to hear from any potential case study candidates or from anyone who can nominate a candidate.
To qualify for inclusion in the study, participants must have moved beyond just having a farm plan, and be able to demonstrate elements of 'system' implementation.
A second part of the project is to compile a compendium of environmental best management practices (BMP) that can be used as minimum standards when establishing an on-farm EMS. Project officer Therese Hulme (02 6391 3642) will compile information on existing environmental BMPs, including a brief summary, costs, availability of the BMP and author contact details.
The third part of the project is to fund the next 12 months of this newsletter. To contribute to the newsletter at any time, please contact Genevieve Carruthers at the address on page 4.
Grains projects
The grains industry currently has several projects that are examining environmental management within the industry. One headed by Anna Ridley from DNRE in Victoria (Anna.Ridley@nre.vic.gov.au; 02 6030 4500), is developing an environmental farm planning approach with 17 farmers from the southern Riverina region in NSW. Environmental issues of concern include salinity, retention of remnant ecosystems and farm business management, with ecolabelling and a desire to improve farm management skills also factors driving involvement. A self assessment process for farmers has been developed, providing indicators for management performance.
A Western Australian project, led by Cameron Weeks of the Mingenew-Irwin Landcare Group (weeks@wn.com.au; 08 9964 2974) is in the early stages of development. Initial deliberations by the project working group have determined to follow an ISO14000 format, whilst meeting some elements of SQF 2000 (a QA program).
A joint GRDC/LWRRDC funded project has developed a self-assessment tool and generic EMS manual package that is compatible with ISO 14001.
Run by NSW Agriculture, this project is a pilot study to evaluate the potential for EMS within the grains industry. Project participants may undertake certification and external auditing if they wish.
The manual has been audited by SGS to ensure that there are no areas of non-conformance with the ISO 14001 standard. Several farmers in NSW and Queensland are now customising the generic manual for use on their own farms. Care has been taken to ensure that the package addresses quality elements included in current grain QA programs. The work is aligned with the cotton industry pesticide BMP work so grain growers that also grow cotton do not have to meet multiple record-keeping requirements.
Farmers interested in participating in the project or anyone wanting further information should contact Genevieve Carruthers or Gavin Tinning, gavin.tin-ning@agricnsw.gov.au; 0266 261 239.
Beef producers wanted to pilot an Environmental Management System
Meat & Livestock Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest from small groups of beef producers interested in piloting the application of a recognised Environmental Management System (EMS) to their grazing properties. The project provides an opportunity for forward-looking producers to be part of an innovative aspect of the future for the industry. A part-time Project Coordinator will provide assistance and support to participating producer groups and interact regularly with a small Project Steering Group.
Each participating property will identify key aspects of sustainable land and environmental management for their enterprise and will work with others to apply the EMS process leading to ISO 14001 certification. While MLA will meet the costs of initial assessment for certification, each participating property will also contribute. The project aims to have ISO 14001 certifications and documented processes in place within 2 years.
Groups of producers interested in participating in the pilot project, and individuals interested in becoming the Project Coordinator should contact Heidi Philpott at MLA (02-9463 9242) to obtain an Information Package about the project.
Proposals to participate should reach Heidi by not later than 29 September 2000. Other producers with a genuine interest in the project are encouraged to register that interest in order to receive information as the project progresses.
Expressions of Interest for the Coordinator position should reach Heidi at Meat & Livestock Australia, Locked Bag 991, North Sydney NSW 2059, by not later than 29 September 2000.
AFFA workshops
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA) has sponsored discussions in Canberra about the role that governments may play in facilitating the development and implementation of voluntary industry-based EMS and production certification schemes. AFFA held a half-day stakeholder workshop on June 28, entitled "Developing EMS for Australian Agriculture". A subsequent Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) seminar on 14 July provided an overview of departmental initiatives on EMS for sustainable natural resource management, agriculture and forestry.
The June workshop was divided into two sessions: practical experiences with EMS and production certification and future directions and a discussion about the possible roles for Government.
Ian Thompson, from AFFA's Natural Resource Management Policy Division, welcomed approximately 60 participants and provided background on Managing Natural Resources in Rural Australia for a Sustainable Future. This discussion paper was a major avenue for obtaining public views on future policies for Natural Resource Management (NRM) in Australia. It proposed EMS as one of several economic and market based instruments for achieving more sustainable farming systems. There is considerable interest in how governments can encourage the adoption of improved natural resource management practices. This work will link with existing efforts to develop strategic regional approaches, suitable performance indicators and criteria for sustainable production systems and common policy goals for NRM.
At the workshop, Kim Russell
(Coleambally Irrigation District farmer and Kondinin Group Board member)
and Mike Logan (Narrabri cotton farmer and the owner of the world's first
ISO 14001 certified farm) raised the need for government to create rewards
rather than punishments as an incentive for farmers. Both discussed the
importance of wide consultation with stakeholders. Mr Logan considers one
benefit of EMS adoption will be preferential market access, but described
promises of market premiums as a 'carrot at the end of a very, very long
stick'.
| The proceedings from the Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture Workshop, held in Ballina, May 1999 have been reprinted, with the first print run selling out. It is availabve for download as a PDF document here on the RIRDC web site at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Ras/99_94.pdf. You can purchase a copy printed copy from RIRDC on phone e02 6272 4819 or from the RIRDC Eshop. |
Recent experiences of onion growers in implementing Tesco's "Nature Choice" code of practice were shared by Mike Hart, Agricultural Program Leader from Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment. Although the results were disappointing this year (due to poor sales following an onion glut on the world market), the process was seen as a useful model for getting supply chain managers to work together, developing a grower base and moving towards product differentiation for Tasmania.
Bruce Lloyd, Chairman of the Australian Landcare Council, provided an international perspective gained during recent private visits to the UK and Canada, describing the evolution of Landcare as a great advantage for Australia. He suggested that government could play a key role by establishing an international clearinghouse and facilitating regional and industry progress with EMS.
Genevieve Carruthers, NSW Agriculture, spoke of the need to integrate existing management practices and EMS, building on sound management wherever possible. In her view, there is a need for governments to provide a road map so that industry can work in partnership to achieve common goals of sustainable management and market access.
Sandra Thomas, from BRS, noted that EMS are a possible way to provide credibility for ecolabels, describing work with the Supermarket to Asia to investigate market-drivers for ecolabelling in south-east Asian markets (see article below).
An AFFA working group has been set up to provide a focus on further discussion and information sharing on EMS and production certification across the portfolio. For further information contact Philippa Rowland AFFA, BRS (02) 6272 3443. philippa.rowland@ brs.gov.au
Supermarket to Asia Ecolabels and Related Value Adding Concepts
Ecolabels and Related Value Adding Concepts is a priority project for Supermarket to Asia (STA).
STA is developing marketing approaches for differentiating Australian food on the basis that it is produced in the clean Australian environment. STA is encouraging farmers and the food industry to build regular market presence based on non-price factors that fit under the "clean and green umbrella" with claims backed by certification that attests to these "clean and green" factors. Documentation is required to give the buyer confidence about our food and is additional to the minimum required to sell in the market.
Supermarket to Asia is consulting with buyers and consumers to see what quality and environmental factors are important. STA is also working with Australian suppliers to meet these expecta-tions and to supply appropriate evidence of good quality and environmental practices in food pro-duction.
Supermarket to Asia is seeking Australian farm-ers and food processors to determine the market advantage that can be obtained from promoting their good quality and environmental management practices. Supermarket to Asia will work with par-ticipants to document evidence of practices that will satisfy buyers and consumers and assist in get-ting products on overseas supermarket shelves.
For further information on this project, please contact Diane Whiteford, Projects Director, Supermarket to Asia, 02 6270 8803. Email: dw@supermarkettoasia.com.au.
Australian Financial Sector and Environmental Performance
The Corporate Reporting Australia (CRA) initiative has recently commenced in Australia. The initiative is based on the rationale that increased rigour in formal disclosures on environmental and social governance will result in improved performance and enhanced shareholder value and investor con-fidence.
For the past year, the CRA working group has been working with a panel of representatives from the finance sector in determining the relation-ship between environmental and social governance and access to capital markets. A draft set of criteria for the determination of risk and credit rating has been developed. A CRA technical panel advises the finance panel on the technical data that is required to accurately determine risk and reviews technical data in corporate disclosures. For further informa-tion, contact Di Dibley (02 6238 0583; fax 6238 0700).
Eco-rated Investments
A recent report in the Australian Farm Journal (June 2000: pp 42-45) also illustrates the increased interest investors, banks and other financial institu-tions are taking in environmental performance of their borrowers. Growth in ethical environmentally friendly investments has led Westpac Bank to develop the Eco Investment Fund. A pool of 150 stock companies, are 'eco-rated', and benchmarked against the general Australia share market.
Performance is evaluated against proprietary sur-veys, public record searches and audits. Portfolios of between 45-75 stocks are then recommended.
The eco share fund was seen as having consider-able potential in influencing company behaviour.
International EMS work
The Multi State Working
Group on EMS Conference San Diego, June 5-6, 2000.
The Multi State Working
Group on EMS recently held their annual conference in San Diego (June 2000
- see http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/
pollprev/mswg/mswg.htm). Genevieve Carruthers, NSW Agriculture, presented
an invited paper on current EMS work in Australian agriculture.
Agricultural EMSs have received scant attention in America in the past, but agriculture businesses are now taking part in EMS pilot projects.
Conference themes addressed:
Californian Wineries
investigate EMS
The Benzinger, Davis Bynum
and Kendall Jackson wineries are all located in Northern California. Benzinger
and Davis Bynum are currently working with the California EPA to develop
EMS pilot projects.
Neither winery exports their wines, and both are undertaking EMS as a way to more clearly demonstrate responsible agricultural practices.
Kendall Jackson wineries have received past criticism for their environmental performance and recognise the potential for EMS to assist to address community concerns. Genevieve Carruthers visited all three wineries during her trip to the MSWG on EMS conference, taking part in EMS workshops and delivering a series of lectures to winery and resource management agency staff.
Developing and Pilot-testing
an Environmental Management Assessment System for Wisconsin's Dairy Industry
Wisconsin dairy farmers,
regulators and researchers have combined in an effort to develop an environmental
management assessment system for Wisconsin's dairy industry. The Farm*A*Syst
computer decision support system will be adapted to form a Wisconsin
Dairy Environmental Management Assessment System.
The program arose because Wisconsin's dairy industry is under increased regulatory and marketing pressure. Regulatory pressures include required nutrient management plans for manure handling systems, modifications to the State Nonpoint Source Pollution Program, creation of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) determination process, the identification of water bodies that are not meeting water quality standards, identifying potential pollution sources for community drinking water supplies and the requirements of larger livestock operations to be "permitted" as point sources of pollution.
An environmental management assessment system will aid producers in avoiding expensive environmental clean-ups by taking cost-effective pollution prevention actions. It will also reduce fertiliser bills by supporting full use of nutrients in livestock wastes. The nitrogen contributions alone are worth about $27.00/acre.
The program also aims to increase the protein content of Wisconsin milk. Improvement in milk protein by 0.1% will add $50,000,000 to the value of Wisconsin's milk and assist in improving the competiveness of the industry.
This program will support future efforts that may lead to an ISO certification process for Wisconsin milk producers.
Contact Gary Jackson, Director Farm and Home Assessment Program, University of Wisconsin Madison (gwjackso@facstaff.wisc.edu) or Tim Mulholland, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource (MUL-HOT@ MAIL01.DNR.STATE. WI.US) for further information.
Want more information on EMS ?
Where to start?
Guidebook to EMS
It is hoped that a soon
to be produced guidebook to environmental management systems available
to agriculture, will further assist farmers and others interested in comparing
the range of potential systems available.
Review of EMS
An independent review of
environmental management systems for Australian agriculture was recently
completed and presented at the EMS in Agriculture workshop. Outlining many
of the issues for EMS and the opportunities presented to agriculture, the
author, Jason Alexandra, makes particular note of: the international
implications of Australian agriculture being unable to substantiate its
claims of being “clean and green”, outlines examples of systems approaches
to managing forests and fisheries that have been applied in a range of
situations, and, provides a comparison of the presently available systems
that could be applied to agriculture.
Web sites of interest
Guelph Farming Systems: http://
www. oac. uoguelph. ca/ www/ FSR/
Globenet: http://
www. iso14000. net/
Farm A Syst: http://
www. wisc. edu/ farmasyst/
Still need more?
If you want to find out more about EMS, the workshop or any other of the issues raised in this newsletter, feel free to contact either:
Genevieve Carruthers
Ph: (02) 66261237 Fax (02)
66283264
Email genevieve.carruthers@agric.nsw.gov.au
or
Gavin Tinning
Ph (02) 66261139 Fax (02)
66283264
Email gavin.tinning@agric.nsw.gov.au
Recognising that some of the information in this document is provided by third parties, the State of New South Wales, the author and the publisher take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the document provided by third parties.
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