Compliance Update - Mathew Bannister

On your marks……

Get set for the production year ahead.  The following is a list of things to get sorted in order to have compliance records on hand for your NZGAP or other certification programmes.

• Signed agreement with labour contractors for Picking/Pruning
• Signed agreement with Spray contractor
• Reviewed spray plan for 2018
• Evidence of notification to neighbours regarding spray plan
• Evidence of sprayer calibration.  Self-calibration is acceptable but you must have a written process and have the calibration recorded.
• Record of any training / inductions you have done.  Your contractors should have completed some form of induction before starting work
• Inventory of your spray store

If you need help with any of the above items please get in touch with an email and I can help you out.  (Mathew.bannister@firstfresh.co.nz )

I have on file forms and templates that you can use to get these things sorted.

It is better to be in touch now rather than getting non-compliances at inspection time which makes more paperwork for us both.

Water Quality and Hand washing

One of the most important food hygiene controls in any food industry is hand washing.  Norovirus is more effectively controlled with hand washing than the use of any sanitising solutions.

 Handwashing station Checklist

• Water is fit for drinking (you have a test for it or it has been disinfected)
• Soap
• Towel for drying hands
• Sanitiser

You can disinfect ‘visually’ clean water by adding water purification tablets and leaving it overnight or fill up a container from your friends connected to town supply.

The cost of a food borne infection traced back to any fresh fruit will affect the entire produce industry so please do your part in keeping our food safe.

Annual Notification of Spray Plans

Now is the time you can expect your cropping neighbours to give you notice that they have a spray plan on hand and you can ask for a copy.

We have had 2 incidents in the last 12 months where harvest was delayed due to a residue that was present due to spray drift. 

Please make sure your neighbours know you have a current spray plan and if you are using a contractor, make sure they also have a copy of your spray plan.

If you are applying something that is not already on your spray plan, you must advise your neighbours before you spray.

Making this notification now can reduce a lot of friction and hassle later in the year.

Fire Season

The recent rain has been welcome and lowered the immediate fire risk but we are still in a prohibited fire ban.  Fine fuels (grasses etc) are taking about 2 days to get back to a condition where they can easily ignite after rain.

Fire Permits can still be issued if you are wanting to have a burn if the conditions are suitable.  You have to apply via http://www.checkitsalright.nz before you light.

I am working on the principal that if I keep talking about the fire season, we might not get one.