This Grenfell NSW canola trial site shows some varieties are starting to turn, and canola deliveries have already started in WA. Photo: Rob Presser

AUSTRALIA’S earliest canola crops are being harvested this month, and growers are reminded to complete a self-assessment if they wish to sell their seed through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification scheme.

In Western Australia, the self-assessment can be done through CBH Group’s LoadNet portal, while in South Australia and eastern states, it can be done through the National Grower Register portal.

Completion of the self-assessment assures access for canola seed to Europe, traditionally Australia’s largest canola market.

Sustainable Grain Australia was initiated by the Australian Oilseeds Federation in 2019 to facilitate the sustainability certification of Australian grain, oilseeds and pulses under the ISCC scheme.

It has streamlined the process for growers of canola, and later other crops including barley and pulses, in outlining their crops’ sustainability credentials ahead of sale to companies including ADM, Bunge, and Cargill as suppliers of biofuel to the European market.

ISCC certification generally delivers a premium over non-certified canola, and CBH Group in WA is currently offering $20/t extra for both GM and non-GM seed.

On July 2, SGA advised growers an updated self-assessment was required if growers wanted to sell their 2024-25 canola as ISCC sustainable, and CBH Group is also believed to have advised WA growers some months ago.

“While a self-assessment has always been recommended to farmers to complete prior to agreeing to contract grain as ISCC sustainable, we have found that not all growers have done this, and have elected to agree to trade their grain as ISCC sustainable without doing their homework first,” AOF chief executive officer Nick Goddard said in a statement.

“Making this step mandatory ensures growers can be fully informed about ISCC requirements before trading their grain.”

Nearly all Australian farmers meet ISCC sustainability requirements, about half of which are legislated in Australia in areas such as: use and storage of chemicals; workers’ rights, workplace health and safety obligations, and waste disposal.

Examples of required good agricultural practices include: crop rotations, maintained spray diaries, calibrated equipment; business planning, and record keeping.

The Grain Industry Association of WA this week posted a reminder for the state’s growers to fill in a new form annually so their seed has maximum standard marketing options.

“It is now compulsory for growers to complete a self-assessment form annually for both CBH Group and the National Grower Register, in addition to the ISCC self-declaration,” GIWA said in a statement.

The existing ISCC self-declaration is the agreement that growers understand the requirements of the ISCC scheme and are compliant with the ISCC rules, and has been in place since the scheme’s inception.

“The self-assessment is a new, more detailed tool providing an overview of the farming operation and early assessment of ISCC compliance, and it can be used as supporting documentation in potential future ISCC audit processes.

“The self-assessment must be completed prior to submitting the ISCC self-declaration.”

GIWA CEO Peter Nash said the new forms should provide more assurance to WA canola growers wanting to access the European market.

“The ISCC scheme has provided WA canola growers with a premium opportunity for their grain into international markets, resulting in favourable price conditions on the back of strong harvests,” Mr Nash said.

“There are now several buyers who will only acquire ISCC grain, so it is important we ensure
compliance and avoid limiting our marketing potential.

“It is important for growers to have their declarations in place to ensure their chosen grain marketer meets all of the relevant requirements to continue to access the European biofuels market and deliver value for WA growers.”

Source: AOF, GIWA