Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
minimise soil erosion and damage to soil structure. For example, the criteria
encourage producers to use mechanical cultivation only where proven to
improve or maintain soil structure and to avoid soil compaction.
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4.2 Better Cotton Initiative
Founded to promote measurable improvements in the primary environmental
and social impacts of cotton production worldwide, the Better Cotton Initiative
(BCI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative comprised of organisations from across
the cotton supply chain, NGOs and other interested parties. The BCI
framework
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contains Minimum Production Criteria that cotton producers
must meet as part of a self-assessment process and Progress Requirements, of
which a minimum must be met in order to qualify as a Better Cotton producer.
Impact areas covered under BCI include: Crop Protection, Water, Soil,
Habitat, Fiber Quality and Decent Work. To meet the Minimum Production
Criteria under Soil, producers must have knowledge of (1) appropriate soil
management practices for identifying, preserving and enhancing soil structure
and organic matter levels; (2) appropriate nutrient monitoring procedures,
nutrient formulations and application timing and techniques; and (3) soil
erosion management practices. Progress Requirements are met if producers
actually implement soil management practices that preserve soil structure,
increase soil organic matter content, address soil structural problems and
control/prevent erosion. Additional Progress Requirements include applying
nutrients on the basis of identified crop and soil need following a nutrient
budget and regularly monitoring the nutrient status of the crop and soil and
long-term nutrition trends in the area of production under assessment.
4.3 European Integrated Farming Framework
The European Integrated Farming Framework
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contains guidelines, practices
and suggestions for sustainable development in European agriculture. Drafted
by the European Initiative for Sustainable Development in Agriculture
(EISA), the Framework is intended to serve as a comprehensive management
tool for farmers, to harmonise agricultural production across Europe, and to
help create a better public and political understanding of integrated farming.
The Framework is organised into chapters that cover Organisation,
Management and Planning; Human and Social Capital; Energy Use and
Efficiency; Water Use and Protection; Air Emissions; Soil Management; Crop
Nutrition; Crop Protection; Animal Husbandry and Health; Landscape,
Wildlife and Biodiversity; and Resource Management, Product Storage and
Waste Disposal. Soil parameters, such as soil organic matter, soil physical
structure and sufficient fertility, are addressed under Soil Management and
Crop Nutrition. Guidelines are organised into three tiers - Must, Should and
Consider - and those that are enforced through national policy or initiatives
are marked accordingly.
