Preparing for your NZFAP audit

We’re seeing a consistent trend in the requirements New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) farmers are failing on to comply with the standard. When farmers don't sufficiently meet a requirement, they are issued with a Corrective Action Request (CAR) which can result in exclusion from the programme if it is not closed out within the required time frame. Click to view the two most common CARs identified for NZFAP audits, and how you can prepare for your audit to pass these.

NZFAP requirement 3.6.2, Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be readily available for any chemicals stored on farm. These can be electronic or hard copy records and are essential to document in order to pass your NZFAP audit. When purchasing chemical products, you should be provided with a copy of a MSDS from the supplier. It is important you receive and record these, so make sure you contact your retailer to request a copy or check online resources if you are unable to locate a MSDS. 

NZFAP requirement 5.1.2, Farm and Infrastructure Map

A Farm and Infrastructure Map must have the following environmental/hazard points identified in order to pass your NZFAP audit:

• Fuel storage sites
• Chemical storage
• Nutrient storage sites, such as fertiliser or compost bins, worm farms 
• Offal pits
• Waste or rubbish disposal sites
• Yards, stockholding areas, load in/out facilities 
• Shearing sheds
• Silage and/or any other conserved or supplementary feed storage areas
• Houses and other buildings
• Safe entry points
• Farm boundaries

It’s important to record all of the points above that are applicable to your farming system on a Farm and Infrastructure Map. There are a variety of resources, businesses, and software available to assist you in creating a Farm and Infrastructure Map. The map can also be created and updated without any external help, as long as the points above are clearly and accurately identified.