ASSURED PLANT PROPAGATION SCHEME (APPS)

GUIDANCE NOTES

The Assured Plant Propagation Scheme (APPS) has been developed in response to Plant Propagators Ltd (PPL - Appendix 1) member’s intentions to develop improved systems for Plant Propagation, and to requests from Retailers and Growers for complete trace ability during plant propagation.

Consequently the APPS was launched in 1998 to verify Propagation Production Systems in individual members nurseries. The Plant Seeds and Health Inspectorate (a Division of MAFF) were chosen to audit the scheme as they already had key knowledge of Plant Propagation (the implementation of Plant Passporting). MAFF initially trained four Inspectors in aspects of the audit and have subsequently been involved in the revision and further development of the scheme, with Auditors attending and participating in members workshops to ensure ongoing industry knowledge and understanding.

Members agree on joining, PPL to:

• Commit to a Quality Policy and
• Within three years of joining, seek accreditation through the APPS.

Until accredited, members are required to undergo an annual Site Hygiene and Housekeeping Inspection, again undertaken by PHSI (Appendix 2).

Key to the APPS is the undertaking by individual members of a Quality Policy (Appendix 3) This sets out the aims of the company and the systems that will be put in place to achieve these objectives. Members therefore put in place their systems (Propagation Systems Folder) designed to manage this policy. It is these, individual, propagation systems that are audited by PHSI on an Annual Basis against key criteria set out in the Audit Form.

The APPS is reviewed by the Board, and separately in a meeting with PHSI in light of customer / retailer and member comment or suggestion and in consideration of any legislative changes. Any comments and suggestions can then, subject to Board approval, be incorporated in any Audit Revisions (Appendix 4) which are issued to members in January of each year.

The Company Secretary is responsible to the Board for the management and administration of the Scheme.

PPL agree on an annual basis the fees PHSI will charge for audit. These fees are invoiced directly to members by PPL, PPL paying MAFF.

Members are required to notify the Secretary their intention to seek accreditation by the end of January each year. This list is passed to