GAP

GAP means "Good Agricultural Practices" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_agricultural_practices ). The table below summarizes the most important GAP practices.

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The BEST GAP Practices

The farm site

The farm must not have been previously contaminated.

The farm

There must be systems in place to ensure that cleanliness is ensured on the whole farm.

  • Intruders must be kept out of the fields.

  • Waste must be removed.

  • Toilets must be available for workers.

The fields

There must be systems in place to ensure that cleanliness is ensured on the fields.

  • The soils cannot have heavy metals.

  • Records must be kept showing what was used for growing.

  • The waters must be clean.

  • Run-off, sewage, litter must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

Pesticides, fertilizers and agrochemicals

The products used must be:

  • Approved

  • Used by trained workers

  • Applied properly

  • Recorded

  • Stored properly

  • Disposed of properly

Pest & Disease Management

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy must be in place.

  • Pest & Disease threats must be identified by regular observations.

  • All responses to threats must be appropriate.

  • All responses to threats must be documented.

  • All staff must be trained in IPM.

  • All IPM equipment must be properly used.