Vendor declaration

VENDOR DECLARATION OF PRODUCTION PRACTICES

Note: Sign this declaration and send it to your broker.

I, ................................................................................. as a bona fide woolgrower commit myself to the principles embodied in the Best Practice Reference Manual for Wool Sheep Farming in South Africa, and undertake to implement all procedures to ensure that the product I deliver meet the required standards. I commit myself to honesty and integrity in all actions related to this undertaking.

In order to consistently produce the quality of wool demanded by the market and to ensure sustainable resource use, animal welfare and social responsibility, I commit myself to the following:

• Selection and breeding of animals that are well adapted to the environment, displaying high resistance levels to disease and parasites and which have the ability to thrive under average conditions of feed availability and quality.

• Total non-use of the Mules operation.

• Supply of nutrition and water to maintain a high level of natural immunity against disease and parasites.

• Using products required for disease management and injury treatment strictly according to product specifications.

• Following veterinary recommendations and/or prescribed legal requirements for the use of vaccines or other remedies required for prevention of outbreaks of endemic and/or State notifiable diseases.

• Ensuring that when sheep need to be housed, handled or transported, this is done in a responsible manner by trained staff to minimise any stress, by using facilities and equipment that are appropriate and which pose no threat to the sheep or staff.

• A commitment to environmental protection as part of farm management and the monitoring of the effectiveness of my actions through the implementation of appropriate impact assessment, planning and monitoring procedures.

• Maintenance and enhancement of the fertility and structure of the soil.

• The proper and effective management of all water resources to prevent wastage and pollution.

• Promotion of plant material decay to foster soil organism activities.

• Minimising the use of energy, particularly energy from non-renewable sources by maximising use of renewable sources such as sunlight, wind and water.

• Pro-active conservation of existing biodiversity and development and implementation of a management plan to build biodiversity.

• Implementation of a waste management plan to reduce, re-use, recycle or compost waste in a manner that is appropriate to the materials in question.

• Implementation of a fire management plan to avoid and/or prevent fires which can adversely affect the environment.

• Ongoing reduction of the volume of agrochemical product use to the maximum possible extent and strict adherence to product specifications.

• Observation of the required wool withholding periods for external pesticide products for use on sheep and for herbicides for use on available pastures.

• Development and implementation of a holistic and integrated predator management strategy and plan.

• Creating wholesome working conditions for staff by subscribing to all appropriate principles embodied in modern human resource management principles.

• Protection of worker rights and obligations through appropriate contracts which are in line with all legal requirements.

• Empowerment of staff through encouragement of life-long learning and provision of opportunities for skills development and capacity building.

• Respect for and compliance with all core human and labour rights as prescribed by the International Labour Organisation.

• Use of trained shearers and woolclassers.

• Use of prescribed and industry-regulated woolpacks.

• Preparation of clips according to the appropriate Industry Code of Preparation (Classing Standards).

• Provision of suitable shearing facilities and following of all prescribed procedures to ensure that my clip is free of all forms of contamination.

Signature: ................................................ Address: ........................................................ Date: ................................................ ....................................................... ....................................................... Producer No.: ................................... .......................................................