ACTION:
22. The farm minimizes the pollution risks of the soil performing maintenances to its agrochemical application equipment.
Means of verification:
Check list or record of infrastructure maintenance with the following information:
- Date.
- Type of event.
- Equipment/infrastructure.
- Work details.
- Responsible company/person.
If the maintenance is done by an external company, this company must issue a receipt or report certifying that the actions carried out are in accordance with the request.
23. The farm keeps or improves the vegetative ground cover to avoid leaving it without coverage considering at least 50% of coverage between rows.
Means of verification:
Visual inspection to verify the existence of natural or sown vegetative ground cover.
ACTION:
24. The farm does not burn the vegetation of the place to clear productive areas.
Means of verification:
Visual inspection of signposting indicating that there will be no field burnings.
ACTION:
25. The farm implements measures to improve the structure of the soil and avoid its compaction with actions like:
- Increasing of the percentage of organic matter in the soil through organic amendments.
- Adding pruning leftovers.
- Adding stubbles.
- Using vertical breaking (subsoiling).
- Conducting classic amendments (gypsum).
Means of verification:
Record of field works with the following information:
- Date and hour.
- Area.
- Work done.
- Work objective.
- Responsible company/person.
- Findings (optional).
26. The farm identifies its compacted areas.
Means of verification:
Map or plan of the compacted areas indicated through:
- Penetrometer
- Soil profile in soil pits.
- Apparent density or infiltration speed measurement.
27. The farm trains the company’s workers about soil degradation and advertises farming techniques that prevent erosion.
Means of verification:
Record of training implementation: attendance list identifying gender, theme exposed, material exposed, photographic record and certification given.
28. The farm applies measures to avoid erosion by runoff before, during and after planting.
Means of verification:
Visual inspection to verify the existence of one of the following measures:
- Use of localized irrigation systems.
- Planting trees in borders of slopes.
- Using infiltration ditches.
- Planting on contour lines.
29. The farm does not leave the soil exposed and protects the cultivation area.
Means of verification:
Visual inspection of sectors to verify the existence of one of the following measures:
- Vegetative species are planted to act as windbreakers.
- Native or natural species are used on slopes and canal edges.
ACTION:
30. The farm has a protocol indicating minimal tillage strategy to avoid altering the condition of the soil.
Means of verification:
Protocol of field works indicating that minimum tillage strategies are carried out.
