Environment and climate change
Agromino is committed to operating the agricultural businesses under its control, utilising environmentally and agronomically sustainable production methods. We recognise the need to honour the responsibilities we have with respect to protecting the environment and to the consumer by ensuring that the food we produce is both safe and of a high standard. To achieve this commitment, we ensure that all our agronomists and managers are fully trained with the most up to date technical information, to ensure that there is the optimal use of seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides to keep a sound balance between production and the environment. The crop rotations adopted are carefully planned to ensure no build-up of pests, diseases or weeds. We are highly water conscious and at all times look to preserve this most precious resource. All waste materials are disposed of in an environmentally sensitive way to minimise pollution of our planet.
The Group appreciates the environment and climate situation as the technology evolves and production increases and reassesses its operational activities from this perspective regularly. Thus, our 2018 activities have been focused on the application of the following principles to our business:
– The continued development of the Telematics Management Department, which has been a crucial support service for the group for the past several years, providing a cross-Group platform to enable effective planning, monitoring and reporting of all production-related operations
– Maintaining soil fertility is ensured by having in place a sustainable rotation, nutrient management plan, soil management plan and crop protection management plan. These are enforced by approving annual budgets where the utilisation of hectares and application of nutrients and chemicals is detailed.
– Crop protection – chemicals are applied strictly adhering to label recommendations that specify which crops the chemical can be applied to, application rate per hectare, the permissible frequency of application and harvest interval – i.e. the minimum time period that has to be left between application and harvest to ensure food safety. Reduced application rates are used when they have internally been proven to be sufficient, which also assists in reducing our environmental footprint.
– Nutrient management – appropriate quantities and application practices are used to ensure optimum growing conditions, maintain soil fertility and prevent pollution that would be caused by over-application of nutrients.
– Fertilizer and Pesticide storage – national regulations are followed that specify maximum quantities permissible to store and the required distance from habitation.
– Fuel consumption is monitored using realtime GPS tracking of vehicles which enables Management, for example, to monitor and enforce optimum driving speeds and engine revolutions which optimises fuel consumption.
– Waste disposal – washed chemical, fertiliser and seed packaging are delivered to a special factory.
– Accident and emergency plan – in case of a chemical spill there is an action plan listing specific steps in each vehicle and all relevant operatives have been trained in the procedure.
The Group has acted in accordance with this policy for several years. No environmental incidents were reported in 2018. Agromino will continue to ensure that all its employees are fully conversant with the aims set out in this policy statement in order that all its activities are compliant and represent the best practice possible.