Sustainable Agriculture

Certified farms comprise an environmental and social management system, protect natural ecosystems and conduct activities to restore degraded ecosystems and also provide refuge to wildlife. The farms’ personnel is treated with respect and in compliance with main ILO conventions; and most importantly are paid a legal minimum wage, have access to educational and health facilities and do not contract minors under 15 years of age or as established by the local legislation. Occupational health risks on farms are detected and secure measures implemented to avoid accidents and support the long term health of workers exposed to risky activities such as operating machinery or permitted pesticides. Certified farms consult with the communities, neighbors and interest groups and contribute to local economic development. They do not use chemical products prohibited by national regulation entities or by national and international agreements, and they have a soil management and conservation and integrated waste management systems.

Standards

Farms

Sustainable Agriculture Standard principles

1. Social and Environmental Management System

2. Ecosystem Conservation

3. Wildlife Protection

4. Water Conservation

5. Fair Treatment and Good Working Conditions for Workers

6. Occupational Health and Safety

7. Community Relations

8. Integrated Crop Management

9. Soil Management and Conservation

10. Integrated Waste Management

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Groups

Producer groups such as associations, cooperatives and federations may apply for group Certification. Group administrators create and maintain a management system which supervises that all group members and their farms comply with the environmental, social, labor and agronomical contents of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard of the Sustainable Agriculture Network by means of a documentation system and trained personnel and group members. The group administrators assess internal and external risk in relation to compliance with the standards and policies of the Sustainable Agriculture Network, of its chain of custody system and system costs.

Group Certification Standard principles