In a project supported by the Ekhaga Foundation, the Organic Research Centre (UK) and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL (CH) have had intensive discussions about how to measure the sustainability of organic farms, building on experience in developing monitoring tools More details about the project can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/ORC-sustainability

Sustainability is increasingly important for organic and non-organic businesses, but the metrics used to measure performance are diverse, ranging from improved energy efficiency (and associated reduced emissions and costs) to improving on-farm biodiversity.

A key part of the project involves identifying sustainability themes highly relevant for monitoring organic agriculture. As key stakeholders in organic agriculture we would appreciate your input into the identification of these themes.

All responses to the survey will be kept anonymous and only aggregated information will be used. If you have any questions about the survey please contact Dr Catherine Gerrard at the Organic Research Centre (catherine.g@organicresearchcentre.com).

Thanks for your participation and important input!

Question Title

* 1. The themes listed below are areas of sustainability which are included in the FAO's SAFA (Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems) guidelines. More detail on each of the themes can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/FAO-SAFA

We want to identify which of these themes are felt by those who work in organic agriculture to be most relevant for monitoring sustainability of organic agriculture.

For each topic, please indicate whether you think it is a strength or weakness of organic agriculture and whether you think it is a topic where further development of the organic sector is most necessary. Finally, please let us know whether you work in that topic area.

For each of the sustainability themes:
> Click on the arrow at the side of the drop down box to reveal the options.
> Select whether the topic is a strength, weakness or neither.
> Select whether further development of the organic sector is most necessary.
> Please let us know if you work in that topic area.


  Strengths and weaknesses Further development of the organic sector is necessary I work in this topic area
Employment relations

Enterprises maintain legally-binding transparent contracts with all employees that are accessible and cover the terms of work and employment is compliant with national laws on labour and social security.

Workplace Safety and Health Provisions

The enterprise ensures that the workplace is safe, meets appropriate regulations, and provides sanitary facilities, safe and ergonomic work environment, clean water, healthy food.
Gender Equality

There is no gender disparity concerning hiring, remuneration, access to resources, education and career opportunities.

Forced labour

The enterprise accepts no forced, bonded or involuntary labour, neither in its own operations nor those of business partners.
Water use

Efficient management of water on farms helps to reduce pressure on natural resources by ensuring that losses are reduced and that the right amount is used in the right place at the right time.
Sustainability Management Plan

A sustainability plan for the enterprise is developed which provides a view of sustainability and considers synergies and trade-offs between dimensions, including environmental, economic, social and governance.
Water Withdrawal

Withdrawal of ground and surface water and/or use does not impair the functioning
of natural water cycles and ecosystems and human, plant and animal communities.
Civic Responsibility

The enterprise supports the improvement of the legal and regulatory framework and does not seek to avoid the impact of human rights, or sustainability standards, or regulation through the corporate veil, or any other means.
Freedom from Stress

Animals are kept under species-appropriate conditions and free from discomfort, pain, injury and disease, fear and distress.
Remedy, Restoration & Prevention

In case of any legal infringements or any other breach of legal, regulatory, international human rights, or voluntary standard, the enterprise immediately puts in place effective remedy, restoration and prevention.
Species Diversity

The diversity of wild species living in natural and semi-natural ecosystems, as well as the diversity of domesticated species living in agricultural, forestry and fisheries ecosystems is conserved and improved.

Full-Cost Accounting

The business success of the enterprise is measured and reported taking into account direct and indirect impacts on the economy, society and physical environment, and the accounting proceprocess is transparent.
Greenhouse Gases

The emission of GHG is contained.

Public Health

The enterprise ensures that operations and business activities do not limit the healthy and safe lifestyles of the local community and contributes to community health resources and services.

Food Safety

Food hazards are systematically controlled and any contamination of food with potentially harmful substances is avoided.
Responsibility

Senior management and/or owners of enterprise regularly and explicitly evaluate the enterprise’s performance against its mission or code of conduct.
Due Diligence

The enterprise is pro-active in considering its external impacts before making decisions that have long-term impacts for any area of sustainability. Stakeholders are informed, engaged and respected.
Water Quality

The release of water pollutants is prevented and water quality is restored.
Animal Health

Animals are kept free from hunger and thirst, injury and disease.
Right for associations & bargaining

All persons in the enterprise can freely execute the rights to: negotiate the terms of their employment individually or as a group; form or adhere to an association defending workers’ rights.
Local Procurement

Enterprises substantially benefit local economies through procurement from local suppliers.
Mission Statement

The enterprise has made its commitment to all areas of sustainability clear to the public, to all personnel and other stakeholders through publishing a mission statement or other similar declaration.
Stability of Supply

Stable business relationships are maintained with a sufficient number of input suppliers and alternative procurement channels are accessible.

Long-Ranging Investment

Investments into production facilities, resources, market infrastructure, shares and acquisitions aim at long-term sustainability rather than maximum short-term profit.
Ecosystem Diversity

The diversity, functional integrity and connectivity of natural, semi-natural and agrifood ecosystems are conserved and improved.
Internal Investment

In a continuous, foresighted manner, the enterprise invests into enhancing its sustainability performance.
Grievance Procedures

All stakeholders (including, those who cannot claim their rights, personnel, and any stakeholders in or outside of the enterprise) have access to appropriate grievance procedures, without a risk of negative consequences.
Capacity Development

Through training and education, primary producers and personnel have opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake current and future tasks required by the enterprise, and resources for future training.
Energy Use

Overall energy consumption is minimized and use of sustainable renewable energy is maximized.

Risk Management

Strategies are in place to manage and mitigate the internal and external risks (i.e. price, production, market, credit, workforce, social, environmental) that the enterprise could face to withstand their negative impact.
Soil Quality

Soil characteristics provide the best conditions for plant growth and soil health, while chemical and biological soil contamination is prevented.
Child labour

The enterprise accepts no child labour that has a potential to harm the physical or mental health or hinder the education of minors, neither in its own operations nor those of business partners.

Genetic Diversity

The diversity of populations of wild species, as well as the diversity of varieties, cultivars and breeds of domesticated species, is conserved and improved.
Product Information

Products bear complete information that is correct, by no means misleading and accessible for consumers and all members of the food chain.

Holistic Audits

All areas of sustainability in the SAFA dimensions that pertain to the enterprise are monitored internally in an appropriate manner, and wherever possible are reviewed according to recognized sustainability reporting systems.
Land Degradation

No land is lost through soil degradation and desertification and degraded land is rehabilitated
Resource Appropriation

Enterprises do not reduce the existing rights of communities to land, water and resources, and operations are carried after informing affected communities by providing information, independent advice and allowing representation.
Support to Vulnerable People

Vulnerable groups, such as young or elderly employees, women, the disabled, minorities and socially disadvantaged are proactively supported.
Stakeholder Dialogue

The enterprise pro-actively identifies stakeholders, which include all those affected by the activities of the enterprise, and ensures that all are informed, engaged in critical decision making, and their input is considered.
Biodiversity

The areas under agriculture, forestry and fisheries are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of all forms of biodiversity.

Non Discrimination

A strict equity and non-discrimination policy is pursued towards all stakeholders; non-discrimination and equal opportunities are explicitly mentioned in enterprise hiring policies, employee or personnel policies, etc.
Stability of Production

Production (quantity and quality) is sufficiently resilient to withstand and be adapted to environmental, social and economic shocks.

Transparency

All procedures, policies, decisions or decision-making processes are accessible where appropriate publicly, and made available to stakeholders including personnel and others affected by the enterprise’s activities.
Liquidity

Financial liquidity, access to credits and insurance (formal and informal) against economic, environmental and social risk enable the enterprise to withstand shortfalls in payment.
Responsible buyers

A fair price is established through negotiations with suppliers that allow them to earn and pay their own employees a living wage, and cover their costs of production, as well as maintain a high level of sustainability.
Community Investment

Through its investments, the enterprise contributes to sustainable development of a community.

Profitability

Through its investments and business activities, the enterprise has the capacity to generate a positive net income.

Quality of Life

All producers and employees in enterprises of all scales enjoy a livelihood that provides a culturally appropriate and nutritionally adequate diet and allows time for family, rest and culture.

Material Use

Material consumption is minimized and reuse, recycling and recovery rates are maximized.
Food Quality

The quality of food products meets the highest nutritional standards applicable to the respective type of product.

Air Quality

The emission of air pollutants is prevented and ozone depleting substances are
eliminated.
Fair Access to Means of Production

Primary producers have access to the means of production, including equipment, capital and knowledge.
Legitimacy

The enterprise is compliant with applicable laws, regulations and standards voluntarily entered into by the enterprise (unless part of an explicit campaign of non-violent civil disobedience/protest) and international human rights standards.
Animal welfare

Animals are kept in such conditions that they can express their natural behaviour and are free from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, disease and other distress
Indigenous Knowledge

Intellectual property rights related to traditional and cultural knowledge are protected and recognized.

Stability of Market

Stable business relationships are maintained with a sufficient number of buyers, income structure is diversified and alternative marketing channels are accessible.

Waste Reduction & Disposal

Waste generation is prevented and is disposed of in a way that does not threaten the health of humans and ecosystems and food loss/waste is minimized.
Value Creation

Enterprises benefit local economies through employment and through payment of local taxes.

Rights of suppliers

The enterprises negotiating a fair price explicitly recognize and support in good faith suppliers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining for all contracts and agreements.

Food Sovereignty

The enterprise contributes to, and benefits from, exercising the right to choice and ownership of their production means, specifically in the preservation and use of traditional, and locally adapted varieties or breeds.
Conflict Resolution

Conflicts between stakeholder and the enterprise are resolved through collaborative dialogue (arbitrated, mediated, facilitated, conciliated or negotiated), based on respect, mutual understanding and equal power.

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* 2. If you would like to comment on your choice of options, please do so here.

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* 3. What is your role?

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