AvoGreen® Operator
How to become an Accedited Operator:
The AIC will accredit Operators after the successful completion of three audits. Provisional accreditation will be granted after the satisfactory completion of the first audit visit with full accreditation after two more successive audits have been successfully completed. In subsequent years the audit frequency will drop to two per year. If you wish to become an Operator, please download and complete the application form below and return to the AIC.
The AIC also allows for the accreditation of growers to become Owner Operators. Once accredited, an Owner Operator may only operate under the AvoGreen programme for orchards for which they are the holder of a P-PIN. The accreditation process is as outlined above except only two audits will be required to be completed and the annual fee is reduced. In subsequent years the audit frequency will drop to one per year. Should you wish to become an Owner Operator, please download and complete the application form below and return to the AIC.
Avo Green Monitoring Schedule
Avo Green Operators Application Form
The Basis for Operator Accredtation
All Operators will be accredited on the following basis:
1. Provision of a documented system
2. A register of accredited monitoring staff and maintenance of appropriate training
3. An internal audit programme
4. Agreement to provide monitoring data to the AIC in a standard format as generated by the AIC database
5. Monitoring data must be received by the AIC by the 5th working day of the following month proceeding the visit
6. Agreement to be audited and meet audit costs
7. Agreement with the AIC to meet the requirements of AvoGreen® and to only use the trademark as approved by the AIC.
These are the subject of a Licensing Agreement between the AIC and operators:
The Accreditation Process
The process for accrediting an operator is:
1. Complete an application to become an accredited operator and forward this to the AIC
2. Select an approved auditor and arrange an initial meeting
3. There will be follow-up audit visits while monitoring is in progress. The auditor will arrange these with you within an agreed timeframe.
4. Subject to the successful completion of the audits the AIC will forward a Licensing Agreement contract for you to complete and sign. See below for an example of the License Agreement.
5. Once the AIC receives your signed Licensing Agreement you will be sent an Operator Certificate that will be valid for five years.
6. Once accredited you will be charged an annual maintenance fee by the AIC, being $200 per year for an Operator and $100 per year for an Owner Operator, plus $25 per accredited Monitor per year.
7. In subsequent years there will be annual audits (2 for Operators and 1 for Owner Operators) to maintain accreditation. In the event that the AIC considers the facilities may create a risk for growers this audit frequency can be increased.
The Licensing Agreement will be for a term of 5 years, but may be renewed at the request of the Operator for a further period of 5 years, subject to meeting the terms of the Agreement
Download: avogreen operator licensing agreement
Download: avogreen owner operator licensing agreemnt
Dealing with Operators in default of the Licensing Agreement
Process for dealing with Operators who are in default of the Licensing Agreement:
1. Operators shall be deemed to be in default of the Licensing Agreement if the following occurs:
(a) If it fails to carry out monitoring in accordance with the Specification, or does so in an inadequate way.
(b) If it fails to report to either a Grower or the AIC in accordance with the requirements of the Agreement.
(c) If it is otherwise in default in performing any of its obligations under the Agreement.
(d) If it fails to meet the cost of audits that are rendered by the auditor direct to the Operator.
(e) If it fails to meet the cost of the annual Operator fee and Monitor fee rendered by the AIC.
2. The existence of any default shall be determined by the audit or by the AIC.
3. If any audit report determines there is default by an Operator the AIC may:
(a) increase the frequency of audits and/or require remedial action specified by the AIC.
(b) If the Operator does not within ten working days of advice of such remedial action remedy such default the AIC shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect.
(c) If an Operator has two successive audit reports which determine there is a default the AIC may immediately terminate the Agreement.
AvoGreen Operational Requirements
Operator – Grower Agreement
The agreement between the Operator and the Grower forms the basis for determining if a grower is AvoGreen compliant. This contract must specify:
• That the Grower agrees to monitor at least at the minimum frequency outlined in the Minimum Monitoring Requirements;
• The number of trees or area to be monitored;
• Whether or not scale is to be monitored; and
• A traceable start date for the commencement of monitoring.
Monitoring Schedule
The pests are monitored on either leaves or fruit. The Monitoring Schedule as detailed in the table below is the minimum monitoring required to meet the AvoGreen® specifications; if pest pressure or local conditions favour pest outbreaks more monitoring may be required e.g. for leafrollers in early spring.
Download: avogreen monitoring schedule
Orchard Mapping
Download: orchard mapping and sampling
Insect Thresholds
Leafrollers
Download: leafrollers sampling plan
Greenhouse Thrips
Download: greenhouse thrips sampling plan
Armoured Scale Insects
Download: armoured scale sampling plan
Six-spotted Mite
Download: six-spotted mite sampling plan
