"The following are abbreviated examples of possible guidelines used to guide management and facilitate certification. These are non-inclusive as presented and serve as samples. Certification programs require specific criteria and auditing."

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  • The Sustainable Agriculture Network encourages the elimination of chemical products known internationally, regionally and nationally for their negative impacts on human health and natural resources. Certified farms contribute to the elimination of these products through integrated crop management to reduce the risk of pest infestations, the use of agrochemicals to register the amounts consumed, and work to reduce and eliminate these products, especially the most toxic ones. To minimize the excessive application and waste of agrochemicals, certified farms have the procedures and equipment for mixing these products and for maintaining and calibrating application equipment. Certified farms do not use products that are not registered for use in their country, nor do they use transgenic organisms or other products prohibited by different entities or national and international agreements.
  • The farm must have an integrated pest-management program based on ecological principles for the control of harmful pests (insects, plants, animals and microbes). The program must give priority to the use of physical, mechanical, cultural and biological control methods, and the least possible use of agrochemicals.
  • The Company commits to the principles and practices of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and, more broadly, to those of Integrated Crop Management. Our aim is to gradually reduce the use of agrochemicals and ensure that any products used are managed so as to minimize the threats to human health and the environment.
  • Using pesticides and fertilizers only when and where necessary, as indicated by testing and monitoring.
  • Using the safest products available for each application.
  • Eliminating the high-risk products, all illegal products, and those prohibited by the SAN.
  • Having a plan to eliminate the use of World Health Organization Class 1a and 1b technical grade active ingredients of pesticides.
  • Ensuring that workers who come into contact with agrochemicals have all the information, training and equipment to do so safely.
  • Managing agrochemical warehouses to maximize safety, prevent spills and keep children and unauthorized workers away from the products.
  • Giving priority to the use of physical, mechanical, cultural and biological control methods.
  • The farm must demonstrate by comparative agrochemical inventories and use records that it rotates chemical products and reduces their use for crop production.
  • The farm must implement the procedures and have the necessary equipment for mixing and applying agrochemicals, as well as maintain, calibrate and repair application equipment, in order to reduce to a minimum waste and excessive applications. The farm must designate and train personnel who will be responsible for the implementation of these procedures.
  • The following chemical or biological substances cannot be used on certified farms:
    a. Biological or organic substances that are not legally registered in the country for commercial use.
    b. Agrochemicals that are not registered officially in the country.
    c. Agrochemicals that are mentioned in the List of Banned and Severely Restricted Pesticides in the U.S. by its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or pesticides banned or severely restricted in the European Union.
    d. Substances that have been banned globally under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
    e. Substances listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC), in relation to national bans or severe restrictions for documented health or environmental reasons in at least two regions of the World.
    f. All Pesticide Action Network Dirty Dozen substances.
    List of Prohibited Pesticides ¡V Sustainable Agriculture Network is binding for the inserts 8.4.c, 8.4.d, 8.4.e and 8.4.f of this criterion.
  • The farm must have a plan for eliminating the use of World Health Organization Class Ia and Ib technical grade active ingredients of pesticides, and for reducing the use of World Health Organization Class II technical grade active ingredients of pesticides (see Annex 8.6 Critical Criterion. The farm must take steps to avoid introducing, cultivating or processing transgenic crops. When nearby transgenic materials are accidentally introduced into a certified farm’s crop, the farm must develop and execute a plan to isolate the crops and provide follow-up in order to comply with the requirements of this criterion.
  • The farm has no transgenic crops.
  • Farms must only use fumigation methods for post-harvest treatment that minimize health effects in workers and control applications. Records must be maintained of any post-harvest treatment.
  • Conduct burning in a way that minimizes the impact on workers, surrounding communities and natural resources.
    Fire must not be allowed to spread to conservation areas.
  • The use of fire for pest and disease management must only be used if it is the option of less environmental impact in comparison with other pest control measures. This option must be approved by competent authorities, must reflect technical considerations and focus on problematic areas only.