Good agricultural practices

Good agricultural practice (GAP)

Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP

Objective/Control measure

1.1 Prevent entry of disease onto the farm

1.1.1 Only buy animals of known disease status and control their introduction onto the farm
1.1.2 Ensure cattle transport on and off the farm does not introduce disease
1.1.3 Have secure boundaries/fencing
1.1.4 If possible, limit access of people and wildlife to the farm
1.1.5 Have a vermin control programme in place
1.1.6 Only use clean equipment from a known source

- Keep animals healthy
- Comply with national/regional animal movement and disease controls

1.2 Have an effective herd health management programme in place

1.2.1 Use an identification system that allows all animals to be identified individually from birth to death
1.2.2 Develop an effective herd health management programme focused on prevention that meets the farm’s needs as well as regional and national requirements
1.2.3 Regularly check animals for signs of disease
1.2.4 Sick animals should be attended to quickly and in an appropriate way
1.2.5 Keep sick animals isolated and separate milk from sick animals and animals under treatment
1.2.6 Keep written records of all treatments and identify treated animals appropriately
1.2.7 Manage animal diseases that can affect public health (zoonoses)

- Detect animal diseases early
- Prevent spread of disease among animals
- Prevent transmission of zoonoses
- Ensure traceability

1.3 Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as prescribed

1.3.1 Use chemicals according to directions, calculate dosages carefully and observe appropriate withholding periods
1.3.2 Only use veterinary medicines as prescribed by veterinarians and observe specified withholding periods
1.3.3 Store chemicals and veterinary medicines securely and dispose of them responsibly

- Prevent occurrence of chemical residues in milk

1.4 Train people appropriately

1.4.1 Have procedures in place for detecting and handling sick animals and veterinary chemicals
1.4.2 Make sure all people are sufficiently trained to carry out their tasks
1.4.3 Choose competent sources for advice and interventions

- Follow correct procedures

Good agricultural practice (GAP)

Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP

Objectives/Control measures

2.1 Ensure milking routines do not injure cows or introduce contamination to milk

2.1.1 Uniquely identify individual animals
2.1.2 Ensure appropriate udder preparation for milking
2.1.3 Ensure consistent milking techniques
2.1.4 Separate milk from sick or treated animals
2.1.5 Ensure milking equipment is correctly installed and maintained
2.1.6 Ensure a sufficient supply of clean water

- Use suitable and well maintained equipment for milking and milk storage

2.2 Ensure milking is carried out under hygienic conditions

2.2.1 Ensure housing environment is clean at all times
2.2.2 Ensure milking area is kept clean
2.2.3 Ensure the milkers follow basic hygiene rules

- Harvest milk under hygienic conditions

2.3 Ensure milk is handled properly after milking

2.3.1 Ensure milk is cooled in the specified time
2.3.2 Ensure milk storage area is clean and tidy
2.3.3 Ensure milk storage equipment is adequate to hold milk at the specified temperature
2.3.4 Ensure unobstructed access for bulk milk collection

- Refrigerate and store milk under hygienic conditions

Good agricultural practice (GAP)

Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP

Objectives/Control measures

3.1. Ensure animal feed and water are of adequate quality

3.1.1 Ensure the nutritional needs of animals are met
3.1.2 Ensure good quality water supplies are provided, regularly checked and maintained
3.1.3 Use different equipment for handling chemicals and feed stuffs
3.1.4 Ensure chemicals are used appropriately on pastures and forage crops
3.1.5 Only use approved chemicals for treatment of animal feeds or components of animal feeds and observe withholding periods

- Keeping animals healthy with good quality feed
- Preserve water supplies and animal feed materials from chemical contamination
- Avoid chemical contamination due to farming practices

3.2. Control storage conditions of feed

3.2.1 Separate feeds intended for different species
3.2.2 Ensure appropriate storage conditions to avoid feed contamination
3.2.3 Reject mouldy feed

- No microbiological or toxin contamination or unintended use of prohibited feed ingredients or veterinary preparations
- Keeping animals healthy with good quality feed

3.3. Ensure the traceability of feedstuffs bought off the farm

3.3.1 All suppliers of animal feeds should have an approved quality assurance programme in place
3.3.2 Maintain records of all feed or feed ingredients received on the farm (specified bills or delivery notes on order)

- Quality assurance programme of feed supplier

Good agricultural practice (GAP)

Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP

Objectives/Control measures

4.1 Ensure animals are free from thirst, hunger and malnutrition

4.1.1 Provide sufficient feed (forage and/or fodder) and water every day
4.1.2 Adjust stocking rates and/or supplementary feeding to ensure adequate water, feed and fodder supply
4.1.3 Protect animals from toxic plants and other harmful substances
4.1.4 Provide water supplies of good quality that are regularly checked and maintained

- Healthy, productive animals
- Appropriate feeding and watering of animals

4.2 Ensure animals are free from discomfort

4.2.1 Design and construct buildings to be free of obstructions and hazards
4.2.2 Where relevant, provide adequate space allowances and clean bedding
4.2.3 Protect animals from adverse weather conditions and the consequences thereof
4.2.4 Provide housed animals with adequate ventilation
4.2.5 Provide non-slippery floors

- Protection of animals against extreme climate conditions
- Provide a safe environment

4.3 Ensure animals are free from pain, injury and disease

4.3.1 Have an effective herd health management programme in place and inspect animals regularly
4.3.2 Protect against lameness
4.3.3 Lactating animals should be milked regularly
4.3.4 Do not use procedures and practices that cause unnecessary pain
4.3.5 Follow appropriate calving and weaning practices
4.3.6 Have appropriate procedures for marketing calves
4.3.7 When animals have to be killed on-farm, avoid unnecessary pain
4.3.8 Avoid poor milking routines as they may injure cattle

- Justified and humane actions
- Good sanitary conditions

4.4 Ensure animals are free from fear

4.4.1 Provide competent animal husbandry skills and appropriate training

- Absence of ill-treatment
- Security of animals and farmer

4.5 Ensure animals can engage in relatively normal patterns of animal behaviour

4.5.1 Have herd management and husbandry procedures that do not unnecessarily compromise social activity

- Freedom of movement
- Preserve gregarious behaviour and other behaviours, such as preferred sleeping position

Good agricultural practice (GAP)

Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP

Objectives/Control Measures

5.1 Have an appropriate waste management system.

5.1.1 Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk of environmental pollution
5.1.2 Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff by spreading farm manures in accordance with local condition

- Limit the potential impact of dairy farming practices on the environment.

5.2 Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverse impact on the local environment

5.2.1 Contain dairy runoff on-farm
5.2.2 Use chemicals (fertilizers, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, pesticides, etc) appropriately to avoid contamination of the local environment
5.2.3 Ensure overall appearance of the dairying operation is appropriate for a facility in which high quality food is harvested

- Presenting a positive image of milk production practices.

5.1 Have an appropriate waste management system.

5.1.1 Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk of environmental pollution
5.1.2 Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff by spreading farm manures in accordance with local conditions

- Limit the potential impact of dairy farming practices on the environment.