Recording System
Records are of utmost importance – especially when it comes to the assessment of agricultural activities that cannot be evaluated during the inspection day. As they document the producers’ farming activities over a long period, they provide an insight into whether producers comply with Good Agricultural Practices and how.
They are also fundamental when it comes to providing an account of the production process when problems occur (e.g. MRL exceedance).
- Sowing/planting
- Plant protection product applications
- Irrigation
- Harvest
- Use of fertilizers
- Vaccination of livestock
- Purchase of feed, propagation material
Producers are required to keep all records for at least two years or longer if necessary.
Producers applying for certification for the first time are required to record all farming activities for a minimum period of three months prior to the initial inspection (crops and aquaculture) or from the day of registration. For livestock producers, these records must go back at least one rotation before the inspection. (AF.2.1)
A common tool for producers to reduce the overall load of records is to use documents such as management plans, monthly reports and summary documents as evidence. These are also acceptable as long as essential information is maintained.
Records should be readily available and accessible during the inspection.
The producer must have complete records of all plant protection product applications.
The producer is required to keep copies of transaction documents as proof of evidence.
GLOBALG.A.P. requires that records are kept for a minimum period of two years. These records may be used as evidence should any problem occur in the supply chain or at the end consumer.
GLOBALG.A.P. requires that records are kept for a minimum period of two years, but a producer may keep them longer if necessary.