The New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association has stopped using the AIRCARE environmental management programme and is endorsing members’ use of two other, independent schemes.
NZAAA chair Bruce Peterson said the AIRCARE programme, previously run by the Aviation Industry Association (formerly Aviation NZ), no longer meets the needs of agricultural aircraft operators, their clients or stakeholders.
Instead it is endorsing use of the Spreadmark Certification programme, managed by the Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC), and the Growsafe Accreditation (Aerial) programme managed by the NZ Agricultural Education Trust (NZAET).
Peterson said the independence of the FQC and NZAET provides the industry and stakeholders with assurance the programmes are robust.
The NZAAA will have oversight of the programmes to ensure the processes are relevant to the agricultural aviation industry and provide a single point of contact for operators seeking certification and accreditation.
Chief executive Tony Michelle said a survey of agriculture aviation operators two years ago found 70% no longer supported AIRCARE but supported following environmental best practice.
Instead of developing a new scheme, the NZAAA has decided to adopt these two existing programmes.
“Why reinvent the wheel when we have two fit for purpose environmental programmes?”
Michelle said applicators see value in adopting the two programmes while the move also recognises growing awareness that consumers require proof that food production meets environmental standards.
“It is our expectation that FQC and the Growsafe Accreditation will in time will be a condition of supply for processors,” he said.
