Good agricultural practices (2024)

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 introducecontamination to milk

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

- Use suitable and well maintained equipment for milking andmilk storage

2.2 Ensure milking is carried out under hygienicconditions

2.2.1 Ensure housing environment is clean at alltimes
2.2.2 Ensure milking area is kept clean
2.2.3 Ensure the milkersfollow 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
2.3.2Ensure milk storage area is clean and tidy
2.3.3 Ensure milk storageequipment is adequate to hold milk at the specified temperature
2.3.4 Ensureunobstructed access for bulk milk collection

- Refrigerate and store milk under hygienicconditions

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
3.1.2Ensure good quality water supplies are provided, regularly checked andmaintained
3.1.3 Use different equipment for handling chemicals and feedstuffs
3.1.4 Ensure chemicals are used appropriately on pastures and foragecrops
3.1.5 Only use approved chemicals for treatment of animal feeds orcomponents of animal feeds and observe withholding periods

- Keeping animals healthy with good quality feed
- Preservewater supplies and animal feed materials from chemical contamination
- Avoidchemical contamination due to farming practices

3.2. Control storage conditions of feed

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

- No microbiological or toxin contamination or unintended useof prohibited feed ingredients or veterinary preparations
- Keeping animalshealthy with good quality feed

3.3. Ensure the traceability of feedstuffs bought off thefarm

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

- 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 andmalnutrition

4.1.1 Provide sufficient feed (forage and/or fodder) and waterevery day
4.1.2 Adjust stocking rates and/or supplementary feeding to ensureadequate water, feed and fodder supply
4.1.3 Protect animals from toxicplants and other harmful substances
4.1.4 Provide water supplies of goodquality that are regularly checked and maintained

- Healthy, productive animals
- Appropriate feeding andwatering of animals

4.2 Ensure animals are free from discomfort

4.2.1 Design and construct buildings to be free ofobstructions and hazards
4.2.2 Where relevant, provide adequate spaceallowances and clean bedding
4.2.3 Protect animals from adverse weatherconditions and the consequences thereof
4.2.4 Provide housed animals withadequate ventilation
4.2.5 Provide non-slippery floors

- Protection of animals against extreme climateconditions
- Provide a safe environment

4.3 Ensure animals are free from pain, injury anddisease

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

- Justified and humane actions
- Good sanitaryconditions

4.4 Ensure animals are free from fear

4.4.1 Provide competent animal husbandry skills andappropriate training

- Absence of ill-treatment
- Security of animals andfarmer

4.5 Ensure animals can engage in relatively normal patterns ofanimal behaviour

4.5.1 Have herd management and husbandry procedures that donot unnecessarily compromise social activity

- Freedom of movement
- Preserve gregarious behaviour andother 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 ofenvironmental pollution
5.1.2 Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff byspreading farm manures in accordance with local condition

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

5.2 Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverseimpact 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 Ensureoverall appearance of the dairying operation is appropriate for a facility inwhich high quality food is harvested

- Presenting a positive image of milk productionpractices.

5.1 Have an appropriate waste management system.

5.1.1 Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk ofenvironmental pollution
5.1.2 Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff byspreading farm manures in accordance with local conditions

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