CONTENTS Page General Information the National Training Syllabus
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CONTENTS Page General Information Introduction 2 FACTS Scheme - Objectives 4 Composition of the FACTS Management Committee 5 Terminology and definitions relating to the scheme 6 The Certificate of Competence in Fertiliser and Nutrient Management Advice for Field Sales and Advisory Staff 8 Your Questions Answered 9 Examination Structure 12 FACTS Pre-Training 13 The National Training Syllabus - FACTS Agriculture Modules % TOTAL TIME 1. The soil in relation to plant nutrition 15% 16 2. Organic nutrient sources 15% 18 3. The nature and properties of fertilisers 5% 20 4. Crop nutrients in plants and the factors influencing 15% 21 the amount of fertiliser required. 5. Use of fertilisers on the main crop groups in the UK 15% 23 6. The transport, storage and handling of fertilisers 10% 24 7. Application of fertilisers 5% 25 8. Code of Good Agricultural Practice and legal and 20% 26 other requirements to protect the environment Sample multi-choice questions for the FACTS Examination 27 Sample Scenario question for the FACTS Examination 28 Reference materials 30 Useful websites and publications 31 The BASIS Diploma in Agronomy 33 BASIS / FACTS Approved Trainers 36 1 FACTS SYLLABUS & INFORMATION INTRODUCTION FACTS is an independent non-statutory certification Scheme for advisers in plant nutrient management. It was established in 1993 following discussions with the trade associations connected with the industry and BASIS® Registration Ltd. At the present time there is no legal requirement for advisers and sellers to be certificated; however it was considered that setting up such a scheme was the responsible action to take in light of the environmental pressures and increasing technical requirements. The Scheme and initiative are fully supported by Defra and the Environment Agency. The FACTS Scheme is administered on behalf of the industry by BASIS® Registration Ltd which has administered a similar scheme for the pesticides industry since 1978. FACTS is controlled by a Management Committee that is chaired by an independent chairman with representatives of trade associations from the industry, including representatives from (AIC) Agricultural Industries Confederation. ADAS, the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (EA), the National Farmers Union (NFU), National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), LANDEX, the Potash Development Association (PDA) and independent trainers. WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY BASIS Registration Ltd is committed to the highest standards of openness and accountability. Therefore, we expect employees, candidates and others who work with BASIS who have serious concerns about any aspect of our work voice those concerns. To this effect BASIS has a whistle Blowing Policy. This procedure is designed to allow concerns of a public interest kind within BASIS to be raised, investigated and where appropriate, acted upon. Complaints may be any member of staff, candidates or those contracted to provide services to BASIS. To view the full Whistle Blowing Policy go to: http://www.basis-reg.co.uk/documents/BASIS-whistle-blowing-policy.pdf DYSLEXIA POLICY BASIS Registration Ltd allows students diagnosed with Dyslexia to request special examination arrangements. Proof of dyslexia is required a minimum of 4 weeks before the exam date so that BASIS can provide special examination arrangements if required. For a full copy of our Dyslexia Policy please go to: https://basis-reg.co.uk/documents/Dyslexia-Policy.pdf COMPLAINTS POLICY For a full copy of our Complaints Policy please go to: https://www.basis-reg.co.uk/documents/Complaints-Procedures.pdf 2 The FACTS Annual Scheme, (including the FACTS Information Service) and membership of the BASIS® Professional Register, which FACTS-registered advisers can join, have been devised in response to several pressures: Most people who take an interest in agriculture appreciate that if soil fertility is to be maintained then nutrients taken off in the crop or lost to air or water must be replaced. However, many of these people are also concerned about the actual or potential environmental impact that these losses can cause and they look to those involved to do what they can to minimise them. This is one of the pressures to which those advising farmers on nutrient management and fertiliser use must respond and was a driving force behind the establishment of the FACTS scheme. It allows farmers to identify those competent to advise them on all aspects of nutrient management including the requirements of the law. There is also political pressure to respond to environmental problems either by regulation such as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ’s) or by other restrictive policies. These may be unwelcome but if action towards environmental improvement is not forthcoming, proposals for the more stringent measures will increase. Voluntary measures, such as FACTS, encourage the adoption of best nutrient practices and offer those involved in agriculture the opportunity to demonstrate that they are able to manage environmental pressures while helping their farmer clients optimise inputs. FACTS is based on the principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM) promoted by LEAF – (Linking Environment And Farming) - and training is compatible with Integrated Crop Management training courses. There is also a need for advisers to continue their personal development. Life-long learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are modern themes and for good reason. CPD is important to advisers for a number of good reasons and can help an individual keep abreast of: . Changes in the economics of agriculture . Climate change both short term and in the long term . Changes to equipment and products available . New research findings and subsequent recommendations . Changes in the public perception of agriculture and its effect on the environment and food quality It is increasingly down to individuals rather than employers to manage their careers. This means advisers must keep up-to-date and be able to offer evidence to their clients that they can be relied upon to have the necessary competences. Gaining a FACTS qualification is only the start. In order to maintain FACTS Qualified Adviser status, it needs to be followed by proof of ongoing professional development via CPD points to meet requirements of the BASIS Professional Register. In the years ahead we can increasingly expect assurance schemes and crop production protocols to require advisers to demonstrate their continuing professional development. 3 FACTS SCHEME - OBJECTIVES The overall aim of the Scheme is to ensure a high standard of proficiency of all those giving fertiliser and plant nutritional advice to end users, having due regard for the protection of the environment. To achieve these objectives the Management Committee will: a) Develop and promote a certification scheme for those selling fertilisers to farmers and/or advising on the use of nutrients. b) Establish and maintain a National Training Syllabus for those giving fertiliser and plant nutritional advice; c) Identify and liaise with recognised training centres and those providing in-house training which provide instruction on the National Training syllabus; d) Establish and monitor appropriate examination provision for trainees, whether trained by BASIS®- Approved Trainers, by in-house training or by home-study; e) Approve a level of competence which candidates for certification should reach; f) Maintain a Register of those certificated as competent to advise on fertiliser and plant nutrition products; g) Gradually raise the general level of competence of advice given by the fertiliser and plant nutrition industry and others and keep under continuous review the standards of the Scheme, including the status of exemption holders; h) Liaise closely with UK Government and the EU in order to have the registration scheme recognised and accepted by both UK and other EU Governments. 4 COMPOSITION OF THE FACTS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Independent Chairman Nominated by trade associations in Conjunction with BASIS and DEFRA . 2 Nominated Members from the AIC Fertiliser Manufacturers' Committee . 2 Nominated Members from the AIC Fertiliser Distributors Committee . 1 Nominated Member from ADAS . 1 Nominated Member from the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) . 1 Nominated Member from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) . 1 Nominated Member from the Environment Agency (EA) . 1 Nominated Member from Land Based Colleges Aspiring to Excellence (LANDEX) . 1 Nominated Member from the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) . 1 Nominated Member from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) . 1 Nominated Member from the Potash Development Association (PDA) . 1 representative of independent trainers . The Managing Director (or senior management representative) of BASIS® will be eligible to attend the meetings. * In addition an officer from the AIC and the FACTS Information Service attend the Committee by invitation. 5 FACTS TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS RELATING TO THE FACTS SCHEME TERM DEFINITION FACTS Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme. An independent non- statutory certification scheme for professionals providing advice and information on the management of plant nutrients and fertiliser materials. FACTS Qualified Member of the BASIS Professional Register who has passed the FACTS exam and Adviser has fulfilled requirements for ongoing training. Benefits