organic Certification must certify all elements of the supply
chain from production to processing, transport, handling and
export.

Organic agriculture is a holistic system built upon natural ecological processes. It values the
welfare of both the producer and the consumer of organic food and fibre products, and is
committed to conserving natural resources for the benefit of all future generations. Healthy soil is
the prerequisite for healthy plants, animals and products. The maintenance of soil health by
ecologically sound means is at the heart of organic production systems.

The aims of organic agriculture are:
1) To produce optimal quantities of food and fibre compatible with human and environmental
needs;
2) To produce food of high nutritional value;
3) To work within natural systems in ways which enhance those systems;
4) To maintain and increase long term productivity of soil;
5) To promote wise use of land, water and vegetation and minimise off farm effects of agriculture
on aquatic and terrestrial systems;
6) To foster local and regional production and distribution;
7) To use renewable resources as much as possible;
8) To maintain and increase long-term fertility and biological activity of soils using locally adapted
cultural, biological and mechanical methods as opposed to input reliance;
9) To maintain and encourage agricultural and natural biodiversity on the farm and surrounds
through sustainable production systems and protection of plant and wildlife habitats;
10) To provide balanced nutrients, optimise opportunities to cycle nutrients within the farm, to
recycle nutrients and energy that leave the farm or other farms in food and fibre products that
are not consumed (ie organic waste containing energy and nutrients), with the aim of feeding the
soil ecosystem;
11) To provide livestock with conditions which satisfy their behavioural and physiological needs;
12) To maintain or increase as appropriate the genetic diversity of domesticated and native
plants, animals and other organisms on the farm (this precludes the use of Genetic
Engineering);
13) To allow everyone involved in organic production a quality of life to cover their basic needs
and obtain adequate return and satisfaction from their work, including a safe working
environment;
14) To progress towards an entire organic production chain, which is both socially just and
ecologically responsible; and
15) To recognize the importance of and protect and learn from, indigenous knowledge and
traditional farming systems.

For getting certification operators must demonstrate the management of operations
in accordance with requirements set out in the organic standard in particular
ensuring that a documented organic management plan is in place.

Organic certification is achieved when an operator can demonstrate that they have achieved a farming system that is compliant with the relevant sections of this Standard. Organic production systems require an ongoing commitment to organic production practices.

The farm map is suitably scaled and shows all neighbouring activities, all relevant environmental aspects and contamination risks. Boundaries shown on the map are recognisable on the ground (eg. fences, tree lines, dams, gullies etc).

\u2022Fertility management
\u2022Soil erosion, with particular attention to active gully erosion and riparian areas
\u2022 Crop rotations
\u2022 Weed management
\u2022 Pest management
\u2022 Disease management
\u2022 Windbreaks and buffer zones
\u2022Biodiversity
\u2022 Animal health
\u2022 Water management
\u2022 Post harvest management
\u2022 D o c um e n ta ti o n

Input Records
Harvest Records:
Sales Record:
Audit Trail:
Other Records: Operators keep a farm diary which records farm activities like soil
preparation, green manure, rotations, livestock records, equipment clean down records,
records of buffer zone harvests, and irrigation records.

Field study and training 1 week (Two experts)
Document preparation 1 week (Two experts)
In case the experts are required during the visit of the inspector from the certifying agency that cost
will have to added as well.