Crops & Sugar Beet Standards
ENVIRONMENT Version 5.1 (modified)
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
CR.EC.1 Key
Potential pollutants must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution to crops, feedstuffs, animals, soils, groundwater and watercourses
How you will be measured
CR.EC.1.a
CR.EC.1.b
CR.EC.1.c
CR.EC.1.d
CR.EC.1.e
CR.EC.1.f
CR.EC.1.g
CR.EC.1.1 Key
The PPP store must be of a suitable design, construction and layout
How you will be measured
CR.EC.1.1.a
CR.EC.1.1.b
CR.EC.1.1.c
CR.EC.1.1.d
CR.EC.1.1.e
CR.EC.1.1.f
CR.EC.1.1.g
CR.EC.1.1.h
CR.EC.1.1.i
CR.EC.1.1.j
CR.EC.1.1.k
CR.EC.1.1.m
CR.EC.1.1.n
CR.EC.1.2
A list of stored PPPs must be available and updated on a regular basis
List of stored PPPs
CR.EC.2
In the case of packaging breakages PPPs must be transferred to a suitable container
How you will be measured
CR.EC.2.a
CR.EC.2.b
CR.EC.3
Nitrogen based fertilisers must be stored in a way that minimises the risk of theft
How you will be measured
CR.EC.3.a
CR.EC.3.b
CR.EC.3.c
CR.EC.3.d
CR.EC.3.e
CR.EC.3.1
A list of stored manufactured fertiliser must be kept and updated regularly
How you will be measured
CR.EC.3.1.a
Stored manufactured fertiliser list
CR.EC.3.2
It is recommended that you notify the relevant authorities if you are storing certain amounts and/or types of fertiliser
How you will be measured
CR.EC.3.2.b
CR.EC.3.2.a
CR.EC.4 Key
PPPs must be appropriate for their intended use
How you will be measured
CR.EC.4.a
CR.EC.4.b
CR.EC.4.c
CR.EC.4.d
CR.EC.4.1
PPPs are mixed/handled in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.4.1.a
CR.EC.4.1.b
CR.EC.4.1.c
CR.EC.4.1.d
CR.EC.4.1.e
PPP store scale calibration record where required
CR.EC.5 Key
PPPs must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.5.a
CR.EC.5.b
CR.EC.5.c
CR.EC.5.d
CR.EC.5.e
CR.EC.6
PPP application must be undertaken by competent operators
How you will be measured
CR.EC.6.a
CR.EC.6.b
- NPTC/Lantra certificates
- NRoSO membership number and expiry date
CR.EC.7
All PPP application equipment must be maintained and tested
How you will be measured
CR.EC.7.a
CR.EC.7.b
CR.EC.7.c
- NSTS Certificates
- Calibration records
CR.EC.7.1
PPPs must be transported in manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.7.1.a
CR.EC.7.1.b
CR.EC.7.1.c
CR.EC.7.3
Where granular nematicides are used, use must be in accordance with the Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP) Best Practice Protocol
How you will be measured
CR.EC.7.3.a
CR.EC.7.3.b
CR.EC.7.3.c
CR.EC.7.3.d
CR.EC.7.3.e
CR.EC.7.3.f
- PA4G certificate
- ARTIS e-learning certificate
- Applicator check record (pre-season and on day of operation)
- Post-application field check record
CR.EC.7.4
Advisers making recommendations on PPP use must be on the BASIS Professional Register
Name and BASIS professional register number
CR.EC.7.5
Surplus spray mix must be dealt with in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.7.5.a
CR.EC.7.5.b
Exemption/permit
CR.EC.8
Records must be kept of all PPP applications
How you will be measured
CR.EC.8.a
CR.EC.8.b
CR.EC.8.c
PPP application records
CR.EC.8.1
Systems must be in place to ensure statutory harvest intervals for PPPs are complied with
Records demonstrating harvest intervals are complied with
CR.EC.9 Key
Manufactured fertilisers and organic manures must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.9.a
CR.EC.9.b
CR.EC.9.c
CR.EC.9.d
CR.EC.9.e
CR.EC.9.f
CR.EC.9.g
CR.EC.9.h
CR.EC.9.i
- Exemptions/permits
- Manure Management Plan (or records detailing required information)
CR.EC.9.1
Advisors making recommendations on manufactured fertiliser use must be on the FACTS Professional Register
Name and FACTS professional register number
CR.EC.9.2
Fertiliser rates must be based on a calculation of the nutrient requirements of the crop and on regular analysis of nutrient levels in soil, plant or nutrient solution and with consideration of nutrient content of any organic manure applications.
Analysis results or standard analysis (e.g. RB209)
CR.EC.9.4
Documented evidence detailing the chemical content (N, P, K) of all purchased manufactured fertilisers must be kept for twelve months
Invoices/delivery records/data sheets
CR.EC.9.5
Documentary evidence must be kept which demonstrates that manufactured fertiliser is responsibly sourced and traceable, e.g. from a Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS) approved supplier
Invoices/delivery records
CR.EC.10
All manufactured fertiliser application equipment must be maintained and calibrated at least annually
Calibration record
CR.EC.10.1
Records must be kept of all applications of manufactured fertilisers and organic manures
How you will be measured
CR.EC.10.1.a
Manufactured fertiliser/organic manure application records
CR.EC.11 Key
All wastes which cannot be utilised are disposed of in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
How you will be measured
CR.EC.11.a
CR.EC.11.b
CR.EC.11.c
CR.EC.11.d
- Waste transfer notes
- Waste carrier name and registration number
- HSE guidance on storing pesticides for farmers and other professional users: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais16.pdf
- For information on the importance of fertiliser security, visit: www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk
- For a list of approved pesticides, visit: www.pesticides.gov.uk
- Information on sprayer certificates of competency can be found at: www.cityandguilds.com
Details of NSTS approved test centres can be found at: www.nsts.org.uk - Nutrient Management Guide (RB209): https://ahdb.org.uk/nutrient-management-guide-rb209
- BeeConnected: https://beeconnected.org.uk/
- The BBPA publish an updated list of acceptable agrochemicals for malting barley which can be found at: https://www.ukmalt.com/latest-bbpa-agrochemical-list-for-use-on-barley/
- For more information about FIAS see: https://www.agindustries.org.uk/sectors/trade-assurance-schemes/fias-fertiliser-industry-assurance-scheme.html
- Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (England): https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers
- Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Northern Ireland): https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/registered-waste-carriers-transporters
Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Scotland): https://www2.sepa.org.uk/wastecarriers - Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Wales): https://naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/waste-carriers-brokers-and-dealers-public-register/?lang=en
More Standards
Download Crops and Sugar Beet Standards Manual
Download the changes to the Crops and Sugar Beet Standards from 1 February 2025
- EC.1 – Potential pollutants include, but are not limited to, PPPs, fertilisers – manufactured and organic, anaerobic digestate, fuel oil, empty containers, disinfectants and rodenticides.
Watercourse includes, water courses (ditches, streams, rivers), ponds, lakes, reservoirs, canals, estuaries, coastline
Organic manure includes livestock manures, sewage sludge/biosolids, compost, digestates, organic industrial waste - EC.4 – A PPP is defined as any product with a current MAPP number
- EC.5 – BeeConnected website: beeconnected.org.uk
- EC.6 – PPP application operators also include those applying granular/dust PPPs, post-harvest treatment or seed treatment
- EC.7.2 – For information about the responsible use of metaldehyde, see: www.getpelletwise.co.uk
- EC 7.3 – Nematicide Stewardship Programme: http://nspstewardship.co.uk
The Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP) was founded in 2015 with a scope covering the use of cholinesterase inhibiting, granular nematicides – specifically: oxamyl (e.g.Vydate) and fosthiazate (e.g. Nemathorin). The NSP scope does not include liquid nematicides and non-cholinesterase inhibiting granular nematicides. - EC.9 – The supply and timing of nutrient application is matched to meet crop demand. Non-target areas are protected from run-off and leaching
- EC.9.2 – Risk factors which could lead to runoff, which should be taken into account are: slope (especially if greater than 12 degrees), ground cover, proximity to watercourses or wetlands, weather conditions and forecasts, soil type and condition, presence and condition of land drains
PPPs are defined as any product with a current MAPP number - EC.11 – In order to transport your own waste you must be registered (free of charge) as a low tier waste carrier: https://www.gov.uk/register-renew-waste-carrier-broker-dealer-england
Opportunities are considered for: reducing the production of waste, re-using waste (where appropriate), recycling waste, plastics in particular
