Download the full version of the guidelines
The main working chapters help you assess and manage your enterprise. Each chapter covers risk assessment, suggested practices, monitoring and recording options, and references and further resources.
Worksheet: Review checklist
The Review checklist identifies the range of environmental issues that should be addressed on-farm in horticulture. The checklist covers 20 topics divided into the eight management chapters – soil, water, chemical, nutrient, biodiversity, waste, air, energy & GHG.
Section 1: Introduction
This Introduction sets the context for the document, including overview of the horticulture industry, its future environmental constraints, drivers for environmental assurance, environmental impacts, how environmental assurance integrates with natural resource management and the story of how these guidelines were developed.
Chapter 1: Land and soil management
The Land and soil management chapter focuses on how horticultural businesses can maintain or improve soil condition.
Chapter 2: Water management
The Water management chapter focuses on management of irrigation to maximize efficient use of water applied in response to crop water demand and the amount of water available. The chapter also highlights the importance of managing drainage water and run-off to avoid any impact, such as nutrient pollution, on groundwater or waterways and wetlands.
Chapter 3: Chemical management
The Chemical management chapter considers options for minimising harm to the environment from all aspects of chemical use, from justification of the need for chemical intervention to storage, handling and disposal of empty containers.
Chapter 4: Nutrient management
The Nutrient management chapter provides advice on maintaining the productive capacity of the soil without detriment to the environment.
Chapter 5: Biodiversity management
The Biodiversity chapter focuses on managing local, native biodiversity on-farm. This includes identifying areas of biodiversity, especially those of special importance, on your property and then considering practices that control, manage or minimize any potential impacts on them.
Chapter 6: Waste management
The Waste management chapter focuses on practices to ensure waste products are avoided, minimised, reduced, reused or recycled wherever feasible, or are disposed in a manner in line with community expectations and legislation.
Chapter 7: Air management
The Air management chapter deals with minimizing the many potential causes of on- and off-farm air pollution from horticultural production, such as odours, dust, smoke and noise.
Chapter 8: Energy and greenhouse gas management
The Energy and GHG management chapter focuses on practices that improve the efficiency of energy use, such as effective fertiliser management and minimizing soil disturbance, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and in reducing the operating costs of horticulture operations.
New section: Climate adaptation
This new section, Climate adaptation, provides advice and information on the potential impacts of climate change and climate variability on horticulture, as well as how the sector can strategically prepare and implement tactical responses to suit the range of likely climates and variables.
Section: Practical tools and resources
Guidelines on
- Legislation requirements
- Process steps and inputs
- Environmental impact identification table
- Further resources
