TQA Australia is a not for profit, independent leader in quality solutions inspiring agri-business to be effective and innovative.

From Environmental Assurance Guidelines to Environmental Outcomes

Oct 2009 - April 2010

This project aims to 'test' the Guidelines for Environmental Assurance in Australian Horticulture which were developed by Horticulture Australia Limited in 2006.  As part of this project, TQA Australia will help 270 SPC Ardmona (part of the Coca-Cola Amatil group) fruit suppliers to implement an environmental management system and develop an environmental action plan for their property.  TQA Australia will then monitor the on-farm changes that occur as a result of this.  Other parts of this project include initiating talks with non-governmental organisations to gain support for Environmental Assurance, and measuring the carbon footprint of the fruit growing sector.

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A review and update of the Quality Banana Approved Nursery (QBAN) Compliance Scheme

July 2009 - September 2009

TQA Australia is the project manager for a HAL-funded project to review and update the Quality Banana Approved Nursery (QBAN) scheme.  The QBAN scheme ensures banana plantlets purchased from QBAN accredited suppliers are free of pests and diseases including banana bunchy top virus and other known diseases.  The QBAN scheme is currently overseen by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, but overall management of the scheme will pass to the Australian Banana Growers Association (ABGC) upon completion of the project.  A steering committee of industry representatives has been formed to ensure the QBAN compliance scheme meets all legislative requirements, and the needs of the industry.

Fine Timber Tasmania Chain of Custody system

TQA Australia have been contracted by Fine Timber Tasmania Inc to develop and coordinate a Chain of Custody (CoC) system - a simple way of communicating to customers that the origin of a particular piece of timber or wood product has been documented and assured. In December 2008, this CoC system was certified as compliant to AS 4707-2006 Chain of Custody for wood and certified forest products. If you are interested in becoming a part of this Chain of Custody system contact Tundra Howe at TQA Australia. More information can be found at www.chainofcustody.com.au.

Freshcare Food Safety and Freshcare Environment

A number of producers across Tasmania have been trained by TQA Australia in these standards. Training can be completed in groups, and one-on-one. If you are interested in implementing either of these systems into your business, contact Tundra Howe (Freshcare Food Safety) or Daryl Connelly (Freshcare Environment) at TQA Australia. For more details on either of these standards go to www.freshcare.com.au.

Review of the Freshcare Food Safety Code of Practice

TQA Australia has been working with Freshcare and their technical steering committee during 2008 to review and update the Freshcare Food Safety module. Trials for Freshcare "version 3" will be completed during January and February 2009.  The final version is due for release mid-2009. For more details on the updated Freshcare Food Safety module, contact Tundra Howe at TQA Australia.