2017 Checklist

for Bio Suisse Inspections of

Certified Organic Mussel Farms

The checklist must be completed for the entire farming operation, not just for the site(s) for which Bio Suisse certification is being sought.

The accuracy of the details given in this checklist must be confirmed by a signature on the last page from a representative of the responsible inspection body.

Company and site(s) name(s):
Website/home page:
Farming operations manager / person(s) in charge:
Address:
Postal code, town, province:
Country:
Phone:
E-mail:
GPS coordinates:
The mussels are farmed in compliance with the following standards:
Total surface of the farming operation in ha:
The farming operation has been inspected and certified since (year):
Inspection body:
Farming operation No./ID assigned by the inspection body:
Inspection date:
Previous inspection date:
Marketing organization / producers' association:
Contracting export company:
Contracting Swiss import company:

1.CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY ICB IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR

Yes / No
This is an initial application.
ICB imposed conditions in the previous year.
The conditions imposed by ICB in the previous year have been met.
Explain in detail:

2.general remarks

Yes / No
Have any significant changes been made in the structure / management of the operation compared to the previous year?
Are there any particular risks or features on this holding that require special attention?

3.WHOLE-FARM APPROACH

Yes / No / n/a
The entire farming operation is fully organic.
The farming operation is partly converted (comprising organic and non-organic units).
Partial conversion is temporary.
If yes, please enclose plan for gradual conversion.
The farm operations manager is only responsible for this farming operation.
The farm operations manager is also responsible for other fully organic farming operations.
The farm operations manager is also responsible for non-organic and/or partly converted farming operations.

4.compliance with Naturland Aquaculture Standards, Part iV: “Culture ofmussels on ropes and frames” (or equivalent standards)

Naturland
standard / Met / Not met / Comments
Site / 1.1
1.2
1.3
Stock / 2.1
2.2
Culture systems / 3.1
3.2
Processing / 4

5.social accountability

Number of full-time employees / persons employed year-round / Number of day labourers / seasonal workers (at peak harvest time) / Total number of
employees
Yes / No / n/a
The operation is currently certified or audited in accordance with one of the following standards: Naturland, Soil Association Ethical Trade, Ecocert Fair Trade, Rapunzel Hand in Hand, For Life (IMO), Fair for Life (IMO), FLO Cert (smallholder), Union Fair Choice, SA 8000, GlobalG.A.P. GRASP, BSCI Primary Production, Ecovalia, Valore Sociale.
If yes, which: The certificate/audit report MUST be submitted.
The operation does not have any of the above listed social certifications or audits and has more than 20 employees (full-time + seasonal workers/day labourers).
If yes: the separate “Social Accountability” self-declaration form must be completed and submitted every three years. If it has been submitted within the last three years, please state which year:
The self-declaration form can be downloaded using the following link:

6.STORAGE and PROCESSING ON THE FARMing operation

Yes / No / n/a
Pest control substances/agents are used.
If yes, list product(s):
Other measures are taken to avoid contamination.
If yes, list measures:
Fumigation or fogging is carried out in storage areas.
If yes, list product(s)/gases used:
Products are cleaned, dried, prepared, packaged, and/or processed on the farming operation.
If yes, list which products:
Enclose recipes, descriptions of processing and/or packaging methods.
Products produced by other farming operations are cleaned, dried, prepared, packaged, and/or processed on the farming operation.
If yes, the ICB checklist”Processing and Trade” must be completed.
Cleaning, drying, preparation, packaging and/or processing are carried out by a contractor.
If yes, enclose contractor’s certificate.

7.Processing / Advertising / Transport

Yes / No / n/a
The farming operation’s products are processed / prepared prior to being exported to Switzerland.
If yes, give the name of the firm that carries out processing / preparation:
The farming operation also trades products from other farming operations.
If yes, the ICB checklist “Processing and Trade” must be completed.
Does the Bio Suisse Bud appear on the website?
If yes, give www address
Bio Suisse certified products are only transported by land or by sea.

8.Declaration of assurance

The undersigned farm operations manager hereby confirms:

  • that he/she undertakes to comply with the Bio Suisse standards currently in force for the entire period for which Bio Suisse certification has been applied;
  • that he/she will inform the certification body and ICB without undue delay if they can no longer
    guarantee complete compliance with the Bio Suisse standards;
  • that he/she will correctly use the Bio Suisse certificate issued by ICB;
  • that he/she will label Bio Suisse certified products clearly and correctly;
  • that upon the expiry, termination or withdrawal of certification no further products will be traded as certified organic;
  • that he/she will also cease all advertising with any reference to certification and in such cases will directly
  • implement the steps prescribed by ICB and all other necessary measures;
  • that he/ she explicitly authorizes the inspection body to forward to ICB this checklist, signed by the inspector and a representative of the inspection body, together with all documents necessary for the initial application and subsequent applications for renewal;
  • that he/she also authorizes the inspection body to later forward any further information concerning this farming operation that is required for Bio Suisse certification and which applies to organic certification in conformance with Council Regulation (EC) 834/2007, Commission Regulation (EC) 889/2008 or equivalent national organic standards (e.g., infractions of [EC] 834/2007, resulting sanctions and measures, positive analytical reports, etc.);*
  • that he/ she agrees to fulfil all other requirements stipulated in the contract with the certification body for organic certification in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) 834/2007 as well as to meet the Bio Suisse standards;
  • that he/ she grants ICB the right to carry out follow-up spot checks on their farming operation and to take soil and product samples for analysis following consultation with their inspection and certification body and if necessary, in the presence of representatives from the accreditation body for ICB;
  • that he /she authorizes ICB to forward the certificate and notification of conditions for Bio Suisse certification to Bio Suisse, the appropriate authorities and if necessary, to the Swiss importer of their products;
  • that the information he or she has provided on the occasion of this Bio Suisse inspection represents the truth to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Farm operations manager:

Date:...... Signature:

The undersigned inspector confirms

  • that the information he or she has provided on the occasion of this Bio Suisse inspection represents the truth to the best of their knowledge and belief;
  • that the checklist was completed during an inspection of the farming operation**.

Inspector:

Date:...... Signature:

Stamp of the inspection body and signature of its representative:

Date:...... Signature:

*ICB handles all information pertaining to the farming operation in a confidential manner and solely for the
purpose of certification.

**An exception is only possible during the initial application procedure if the main inspection has already taken place and the application for Bio Suisse certification is retroactively submitted.

Compulsory enclosures:

Current organic inspection report

Valid organic certificate and certification decision

In case of new sites: actualized site map

Self-declaration “Social accountability” (every 3 years) or audit/certification for social accountability depending on the number of employees and country (see Bio Suisse “Social accountability” self-declaration form).

In case of initial application additionally (compulsory):

Organic inspection report of the previous year

Organic certificate and certification decision of the previous year.

Site map

Details about the feed used (composition/ingredients, provenance of fishmeal / fish oil)

Additional enclosures:

Checklist 2017 Bio Suisse Inspections of Mussel Farms1 / 6