This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

The revised Guidelines for Environmental Assurance in Australian Horticulture (Second Edition) and associated website revised over nine months was successfully launched in 2014.

The first edition of the guidelines was launched in 2006 with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. Since that time, there were advances in the environment field, including the development of tailored industry systems, such as EnviroVeg and Banana BMP, changes to relevant Government funding programs, retailer activity and increased understanding and appreciation of the importance of best practice as a means of addressing climate variability and future climate change.

The horticulture Across Industry Committee agreed that these developments needed to be incorporated within the guidelines and, consequently, Hort Innovation (which was the Horticulture Australia Limited) commissioned a review. The revision was conducted between July 2013 – March 2014 and included consultation with existing system owners, industry stakeholders and relevant experts.

Of note, a new section on Climate Adaptation had been added within the second edition, which outlined the potential impacts of climate change, the potential approaches for adaptation and highlighted further resources that growers could access in order to consider their adaptation options.