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1 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
Bord Bia Performance Criteria Survey – Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme
The survey should take between 20 – 30 mins to complete
and will help reduce the time it takes to complete your
upcoming audit.
Please complete this form in advance of your audit and
email a copy to Bord Bia. A scan or clear photograph of
each page will be accepted and should be sent to
Please retain your own copy of this survey and have it
available for your audit.
Each question relates to a specific criterion within the
Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme.
Confidentiality
All answers will be kept strictly confidential by Bord Bia and
will only be used for the purposes of providing feedback on
your farms sustainability performance in combination with
your audit report.
This survey will enable Bord Bia to provide feedback on
your performance compared to industry benchmark and
promote continuous improvement & sustainable practices.
Compliance with the topics below is not required for
certification to the Scheme however completion of this
survey is mandatory for all applicants / members.
Please complete this form in advance of your audit and
email a copy to Bord Bia. A scan or clear photograph of
each page will be accepted and should be sent to
If you wish to discuss how to submit this survey by post or
if you have any other queries about this Survey, please
contact a member of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance
Department on 01 6685155.
Substrate / Growing Media Management
1. Do you use substrate / growing media in your production system?
Yes
No (If “No”, skip to question 10)
2. Please indicate the types of substrate growing media used?
Mushroom Substrate
Vermiculite
Rockwool
Composted Green waste (CGW)
Coir
Peat
Peat/Coir mix
Peat/CGW mix
Other: Please describe: _______________________________
3. Have you set targets to increase use of peat free/reduced peat growing media? Select one:
Yes
No
Being considered
Not Applicable
4. Do you keep up to date with research into peat alternatives for horticultural growing?
Yes
No
5. If ‘Yes’, which of the following best describes how you stayinformed? Select one:
Horticultural publications
Industry body websites, resources and events
Industry groups
Research Papers
Case Studies
Not Applicable
6. If peat is used, is it sourced from responsibly managed peatsources?
Yes
No
Don’t know
7. If ‘Yes’, which of the following best describes your source ofsubstrate / growing media materials?
Select one:
All sourced from suppliers certified to Responsibly Produced Peat Scheme
Some sourced from suppliers certified to ResponsiblyProduced Peat Scheme
All sourced from suppliers that are Bord Bia certified (e.g.mushroom substrate suppliers)
Some sourced from suppliers that are Bord Bia certified (e.g. mushroom substrate suppliers)
Not Applicable
8. If growing media is reused, which of the following bestdescribes your treatment of the medium between uses?
Select one:
Risk analysis conducted to assess potential risks of growingmedia re-use
Cleaning and sterilisation is carried out between uses
No measures are taken between uses
Growing media are never reused
9. If growing media is reused, which of the following bestdescribes your re-use?
Select one:
Re-used for another yield of the same crop (e.g. used for twotomato crops)
Re-used for a different crop (e.g. first used for a tomato crop, then for a cucumber crop)
Re-used for more than two yields of the same crop
Re-used for more than two yields of different crops
2 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
Soil Management
10. What measures are in place to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides on soil & what do you consider are the most important?
Tick if in
Place Rank in order of importance (1 = Most Important, 5 = Least Important)
Biodiversity assessments
Earthworm surveys
Soil analysis
Soil structure visual assessment
Following all requirements on pesticide product labels
Water Management
11. Sources of water used on the farm?
Select all that apply:
Mains Water
Private Well water
Surface Water (river, lake, etc.)
Harvested Rainwater
Recycled Water
Other (please give details): ____________________________
12. Do you use only potable water for irrigation of RTE crops prior to harvest?
Select One:
Yes (give details, including for how long prior to harvest potable water is used for irrigation) _____________________
No
Being considered
Not applicable
13. Procedure if the water supply fails?
Select all that apply:
Alternative water supply available
Documented contingency plan available
Informal contingency plan known to all employees
No alternative water supply available
Not Applicable
14. What consideration is given to water delivery system efficiency?
Select all that apply:
Newly installed efficient systems in place
System recently reviewed, and no changes required
System efficiency recently reviewed, and upgrades being considered
System efficiency not reviewed but is planned
No plans to review water delivery system efficiency
Not Applicable
15. Approach to water conservation?
Select all that apply:
Selecting water delivery systems based on efficiency
Regularly maintaining water delivery systems (including pipes) to ensure continued efficiency
Monitoring water usage levels using meters
Rain water harvested on site
Water recycled on site
No water management measures taken
Other water management measures taken (please give details): _______________________________________
16. Does water used for washing flow in the opposite direction to produce in the pack house?
Select One:
Yes
No
Being considered
Not Applicable
Fertiliser Management
17. Measures to avoid cross-contamination when spreading fertiliser?
Select all that apply:
Low trajectory equipment used
Avoid spreading on windy days
Implementation of buffer strips
Care taken to avoid cross-contamination of hedgerows and other crops
Care taken to avoid spreading upwind of residential areas
No special measures taken
18. Do you use composted organic materials (such as FYM, crop debris etc.)?
Select One:
Yes (please give details): ______________________________
No
19. Do you incorporate Nitrogen fixing crops, green manures or green cover into soil? Select One:
Note: Nitrogen-fixing crops are those whose roots are colonized by certain bacteria that extract nitrogen from the air and convert or “fix” it into a form required for their growth. When the crop dies the fixed nitrogen becomes available to other crops and forms a valuable source of nutrition for the soil.
Yes (please give details): ______________________________
No
Being considered
Not applicable
20. Do you use controlled / slow release fertilisers or partially soluble nutrient sources?
Select One:
Yes (please give details): ______________________________
No
Being considered
Not applicable
3 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
Bumblebee Management
21. Are commercial bumblebees used in your production process?
Select One:
Yes
No (If “No”, skip to question 28)
22. Do you use colonies bred from native bees?
Select One:
Yes
No
23. Do you use non-native bumblebees to pollinate outdoor crops, including open polytunnels and field cloches?
Yes
No
24. If ‘Yes’, measures to prevent cross-contamination of native species or interbreeding?
Select all that apply:
Sourcing of bees bred from bumblebees native to the island of Ireland
Use of queen excluders on hives
Use of bees only for a maximum of 8 weeks
Termination of non-native bees after the 8-week pollination period expires
No preventative measures taken
25. Methods used when introducing bees?
Select all that apply:
Bees only introduced when pollination is needed, where pollination needs are assessed with reference to the crop being grown
Bees introduced regardless of crop growth stage
The same hive used for extended pollination periods (of over 8 weeks)
Several hives in succession used for extended pollination periods (of over 8 weeks)
26. Have you considered measures to improve wild pollinator populations on your farm?
Select one:
Yes (please give details): ______________________________
No
Being considered
Not applicable
27. What measures are implemented to improve wild pollinator populations on your farm?
Select all that apply:
Implementation of an Integrated Pest Management Plan
Managed application of pesticides to prevent drift
Sowing nectar and pollen-rich wildflower seed mixtures on fallow land or buffer strips
Managing buffer strips through grazing and cutting to help encourage wildflowers
Managing hedgerows by reducing the frequency of cutting to encourage hedges to produce flowers
Other (please give details): ____________________________
28. Termination of commercial bees?
Select all that apply:
Terminated a maximum of 8 weeks after introduction
Terminated more than 8 weeks after introduction
Not terminated according to a schedule
Killed by freezing (at -18oC)
Killed by another method (please specify): _______________
29. Disposal of hive?
Select all that apply:
Disposed of within 8 weeks after introduction
Disposed of more than 8 weeks after introduction
Not disposed according to a schedule
Hive, food and dead bees are burned
Hive, food and dead bees are disposed of in landfill
Hive, food and dead bees are disposed of by some other method. Please give details: ___________________________
Hive and/or unused food is reused
Pesticide Management
30. Pesticide application methods in place?
Select all that apply:
Basal application ( to lower portions of brush or small trees)
Broadcast application (applying uniformly to entire area)
Directed-spray application
Soil application (application to soil rather than to plant)
Soil incorporation (use of tillage etc.)
Soil injection
Spot treatment
Fogging
Foliar application
Misting
Band application (applying pesticides in strips)
Not Applicable
31. Measures to reduce the amount of pesticide used?
Select all that apply:
Selection of nozzles, to reduce waste
Regular calibration equipment
Occasional calibration of equipment
Regular maintenance/cleaning of equipment
Occasional maintenance/cleaning of equipment
Testing of nozzle spray patterns before application
GPS
Other advanced control system (please give details): __________________________________________________
Biological controls (e.g. carnivorous insects)
Mechanical controls (e.g. hand-picking, barriers, traps, etc.)
Other measures (please give details):____________________
No measures taken
4 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
32. What selection criteria are implemented for pesticides and what do you consider to be the most important?
Tick if used as selection
criteria Rank in order of importance (1 = Most Important,
5 = Least Important)
Effectiveness in treating target pest species/all pest species
Risk of chemical resistance (based on frequency of usage)
Risk of persistence in the environment (soil, water, etc.)
Professional recommendation (e.g. crop advisor)
Cost
Harvesting
33. Are crop trimmings and plant organic debris left in the field (for subsequent ploughing) during harvesting and grading?
Select One:
Yes, all
Yes, some
No
Not Applicable
34. Methods to monitor tractors, harvesters and transport units fuel efficiency?
Select all that apply:
Regular monitoring of tyre pressure
Occasional monitoring of tyre pressure
Regular maintenance
Occasional maintenance
Maintenance only after malfunction is noticed
Monitoring of fuel usage, with records kept
No measures taken
Not Applicable
Post-Harvest Management
35. Do you carry out Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) / presticide residue testing?
Yes
No
36. How do you determine the frequency of MRL / pesticide residue testing?
Select all that apply:
Determined by risk analysis
Determined by legislative requirement
Determined by other factors. Please specify: _____________
Not Applicable
37. How are the samples for MRL / pesticide residue analysis dealt with?
Select one:
Samples to accredited laboratory
Samples to unaccredited laboratory
No analysis performed
Not Applicable
38. How do you determine the Frequency of microbiological and chemical testing?
Select all that apply:
Determined by risk analysis
Determined by legislative requirement
Determined by other factors
Not Applicable
39. How are the samples of product for microbiological and chemical testing dealt with?
Select one:
Samples to accredited lab
Samples to unaccredited laboratory
No analysis performed
Not Applicable
Hygiene and Security of Facilities and Equipment
40. Measures to reduce heat transfer in cold room stores?
Select all that apply:
Strip curtains
Rapid action doors
Cold room insulated effectively
Cold room doors fitted with insulation
Vapour barrier installed on ‘warm side’ of insulation
Other measures
No heat transfer reduction measures taken
41. Measures to maintain equipment? Select all that apply:
Equipment inspected regularly to a schedule
Equipment inspected regularly, but no written schedule
Equipment fixed as soon as possible after breakdown
New equipment used where possible
No regular maintenance programme in place
42. Measures to restrict access to the growing and packing areas?
Select all that apply:
Clear unauthorised access signage
Installation of physical barriers to animals
Maintenance of clear buffer area around the growing and packing area, to minimise risk of vermin access
Use of electronic/mechanical locks, or other barriers, on doors to prevent unauthorised access
Other measures
No measures taken
5 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
44. Measures to maintain security of site outside operation hours?
Select all that apply:
Outdoor security lights
Alarm systems
CCTV
Third Party Security Services
Mechanical locks on doors
Electronic locks on doors
Locks on windows or skylights
Other measures
No measures taken
45. Measures to manage waste streams?
Select all that apply:
Dedicated skips or bins available for each type of material produced on site
Skips or bins designed in order to be compatible with the material to be stored in them
Skips or bins labelled clearly according to the type of material to be stored in them
Skips or bins emptied regularly
Licensed waste contractor used
On-site compactor used
Other measures (please specify):_______________________
No measures taken
46. Measures to encourage reducing, reusing and recycling waste?
Select all that apply:
Waste disposal policy communicated to all employees
Sourcing recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging
Segregating packaging waste and recycling
Installation of on-site waste compactor
Provision of recycling bins in employee canteen, with clear instructions for their use
Assessing ratio of product to packaging in finished product, with a view to reducing packaging in each individual unit
The use of intelligent packaging to increase shelf life and reduce waste
Other measures (please specify):_______
No measures taken
Environment
47. Has an Environmental Assessment been completed for the farm?
Select One:
Yes
No
Being Considered
48. If 'Yes', have the recommendations been implemented?
Select One:
Yes, all recommendations implemented and managed
Yes, ongoing work in this area
No
Not applicable
49. Do you practice intercropping on your farm?
Select One:
Yes
No
Under consideration
50. If 'Yes', which best describes the type of intercropping used?
Select One:
Mixed intercropping
Row intercropping
Strip intercropping
Relay intercropping
51. Member an environmental development/protection scheme?
Select all that apply:
AEOS
GLAS
Smart Farming
Leaf
Grasp
GlobalG.A.P.
Tesco Nurture
Other
Not a member of any scheme
52. Where organic growing media has been evaluated as non-reusable, is it consigned to composting facilities?
Yes
No
53. Monitoring and recording energy usage?
Select all that apply:
Electricity usage regularly monitored
Electricity usage not monitored
Fossil fuel usage regularly monitored
Fossil fuel usage not monitored
6 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
55. Monitoring equipment and installations that use significant amounts of energy?
Select one of the following.
Evaluation of efficiency at point of purchase; no subsequent evaluation
Occasional evaluation of equipment (by reading electricity meters, analysing bills etc.); no actions taken
Occasional evaluation of energy efficiency; some energy reducing measures taken
Regular ongoing evaluation of energy efficiency of equipment, but not according to a written schedule; no actions taken
Regular ongoing evaluation of energy efficiency of equipment, but not according to a written schedule; actions taken to reduce energy
Regular ongoing evaluation of energy efficiency according to a written schedule; actions taken to reduce energy
56. What kinds of on-farm energy generation are used on site?
Select all that apply:
Solar power
Bio-gas
Wind energy
Water powered energy
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility
Biomass burner
Other on-farm energy generation methods (please specify): ________________________________________________
No on-farm energy generation in place
57. Monitoring of production related activities that use significant amounts of energy?
Select one of the following.
Occasional evaluation of production related activities; no actions taken to reduce energy
Occasional evaluation of production related activities; some energy reducing measures taken
Regular ongoing evaluation of production related activities, but not according to a written schedule; no actions taken to reduce energy
Regular ongoing evaluation of production related activities, but not according to a written schedule; actions taken to reduce energy
Regular ongoing evaluation of production related activities according to a written schedule; actions taken to reduce energy
No evaluation of the energy usage of production related
activities
58. Which of the following inputs/resources are monitored on your farm each year?
Please indicate which of the following Farm inputs and outputs are recorded and monitored:
Farm Input/output Quantities Recorded &
Monitored Quantities Not
Recorded/Monitored Not Applicable
Yield/s Saleable Yield/s
Hectares used Seed/planting material Growing media
Fertiliser
Water
Pesticides
Packaging % of packaging from sustainable sources Refrigerant gas Fuel Electricity Labour General Waste Recycling Waste Hazardous Waste
7 Bord Bia SHAS Performance Criteria Survey
Health & Safety, Staff Welfare, Social Responsibility & Personal Hygiene
59. Has the facility been designed to ensure that workers are comfortable and safe, as detailed in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2005?
Select One:
Yes
No
Not sure
60. Are written contracts available for each employee?
Select One:
Yes
No
Not ApplicableIf ‘Yes’, what features do these contracts have?
Please select all that apply:
Specification of rate of pay
Specification of sick pay
Specification of holiday pay
Other terms and conditions
Not Applicable
61. Are management meetings held to review quality system data?
Yes
No
62. If you answered ‘yes’, what is the frequency of these meetings and how are they documented?
Select one
Regular meetings with minutes retained
Regular meetings held with no records kept
Irregular meetings
No management review meetings
63. What is the scope of these meetings?
Select all that apply
Audit reports reviewed
Customer complaints reviewed
Customer satisfaction data reviewed
Process and non-conformance data reviewed
Staff training requirements assessed
Quality improvement objectives determined for the coming year
Responsibility established and assigned for actionable items
Other Items
64. Is the premises equipped with 1 toilet per 15 males, and 1 toilet per 10 female employees?
Select one:
Yes
Toilets provided but not at required rate
Some staff do not have access to toilet facilities
65. Does your enterprise engage with the local, regional and national community?
Please select all that apply:
Labour sourced locally
Support of local business
Charity donations
Support of sports club(s)
Support of tidy towns initiatives
Hosting school/college visits
Other
No community engagement
66. Approach to assessing the economic sustainability of your business?
Select all that apply
I engage with customers regularly to assess changing customer needs/requirements
I keep records of yields, sales, overheads, capital expenditure, future investment requirements each year
I use a financial advisor to assist in monitoring profitability, overheads, capital expenditure, future investment requirements, etc.
I use a farm software package to monitor farm costs each year (please detail):_______
I use the IFA Smart Farming guide to help identify cost savings on my farm
I am participating in the Smart Farming Case Study Programme
I use other methods
None, I currently do not assess the economic sustainability of my business
Declaration
Please complete this form in advance of your audit and email a copy to Bord Bia. When sending the email please ensure that it
contains a scan or a clear photograph of each page and please send this to [email protected].
On the day of the audit you will be asked to sign a declaration stating that this survey is correct and complete.
Thank you for taking part. All answers will be kept strictly confidential by Bord Bia and will only be used for the purposes of
providing feedback on your farms sustainability performance.
If you wish to discuss how to submit this survey by post or if you have any other queries about this Survey, please contact a
member of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Department on 01 6685155
If you have any further queries, please contact a member of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Department on 01 6685155.
