The CanadaGAP Audit Checklist is the tool used by auditors to assess that participants are meeting program requirements. The Audit Checklist is an Excel document that has been programmed with a number of automatic features (e.g., formatting is adjusted as the checklist is completed, automatic scoring of sections/checklist, questions that are not applicable based on the certification option are removed, etc.). It also has a ‘spell check’ feature that allows auditors to check the spelling of their comments in the checklist (even though it is a protected Excel document).
In order to use the Audit Checklist properly the following steps should be taken:
- Download the Audit Checklist:
- First download the checklist to your computer. Either right click on the file, click ‘Save As’, and choose a destination on your computer, or download a copy directly to your own computer (e.g., on your desktop, C drive, etc.)
- It is important to save the file on your local drive rather than opening it directly from an email or a web browser. This ensures that all features, including macros, function correctly. If you attempt to use the checklist without saving it on your computer, some functionalities may not be available.
- Enable Macros:
- ‘Macros’ should be enabled.
- Macros are essential for the automation features in the checklist (e.g., automatic scoring, formatting adjustments, and other programmed functionalities). Without macros, these features will not work, and the checklist will not function as intended. This could result in incomplete or incorrect scoring, etc.
- How to Enable Macros:
- When you open the file, you will likely see a security warning or a yellow bar at the top of Excel asking if you want to enable macros. This depends on the device/operating system, but you should click ‘Enable Content’ or ‘Enable Macros’.
- If you do not see this option, you may need to adjust your Excel security settings. Go to ‘File’ > ‘Options’ > ‘Trust Center’ > ‘Trust Center Settings’ > ‘Macro Settings’ and select ‘Enable all macros’.
- ‘Macros’ should be enabled.
The auditee would be scored in Question P2 of the CanadaGAP audit checklist. If ANY certificate is missing for any service(s) being outsourced, the most the operation can receive during an audit is 5/10 for this question. The auditee must have a valid food safety certificate/third party report from ALL outside service providers for EACH service provided.
In addition, if the auditee does not have a certificate from an outside service provider performing an activity, then the Certification Body must be informed after the audit, and the relevant activity will be excluded from the operation’s certificate. An operation that is using the services of an uncertified/unaudited service provider will have a certificate that states that the outsourced activity is excluded from the scope of certification.
If operations in Options A1 or A2 indicate during the completion of their self-declaration and self-assessment checklist that they are not meeting the requirements for outside service providers, the Certification Body will be informed, and that activity will be excluded from the scope of their certificate.
The requirements for the calibration of agricultural chemical application equipment can be found in Section 8.3 of the CanadaGAP Food Safety Manual(s).
The CanadaGAP manuals state:
- At the start of the season, when inspection results indicate a need, when equipment is changed and/or if tractor speeds are adjusted, the person responsible calibrates production site equipment as per calibration instructions.
- The person responsible calibrates the following production site equipment (check all that apply; if not applicable, proceed to the next sub-section: Building Equipment):
- Agricultural chemical applicator (including seed treaters, granular/liquid applicator, etc.)
- The person responsible records detailed results of the calibration for agricultural chemical applicators (File under Tab: Calibration Instructions).
- The person responsible records the calibration activity on Form (I) Equipment Cleaning, Maintenance and Calibration OR __
The calibration of agricultural chemical application equipment would be covered under question D3) on the CanadaGAP Audit Checklist. It states: Agricultural chemical application equipment (in both the production site and building) is calibrated according to written instructions and records are kept?
In order for an operation to receive full marks on the calibration of their agricultural chemical application equipment, the auditor would be looking to see what equipment was calibrated, when the calibration was completed, who did the calibration, a procedure based on expert recommendations and the math and calculations (detailed results) involved in the calibration (including measurement of the output from individual nozzles). It is not enough to record the calibration activity on Form I. The other information listed above must also be available.
Yes.
No. The guidance in the right hand column is only that. It does not directly correlate to the points allotted for the question. However, the left hand column DOES correlate to the score directly. Under the question in the left hand column, if there are boxes given, these will be directly related to the score. (i.e., if there are six boxes in the left hand column and 3 points are allotted for the question – each box is worth 0.5 points each).
This question is scored on an all or nothing basis. Either the applicator is in compliance with the standard or they are not. There is no “INCOMPLETE” option available for this question. If the applicator is in compliance and has proof of this, they receive full marks; otherwise the score is ‘0’. If there are multiple applicators, ALL applicators are expected to be in compliance. Scoring is based on the worst case scenario (e.g., if 4 out of 5 applicators are in compliance the score is still 0).
The yellow highlighting shows which water uses the operation will AUTOFAIL on the audit if NO water tests showing potability have been completed.
Both charts (one out of 10 points for L3A and the other out of 8 points for L3B) work the same way, except for the autofail as explained above. The Yes/No guidance in the charts will be used to determine the scoring.
In the chart in L3A (out of 10 points):
The operation must provide results from two tests that show potability for each water use. Each test is worth 5 points. The marks are not for how many uses/sources the operation has. Instead, overall compliance with the requirement is scored. For example if the operation has two wells which would require two tests each, the tests are NOT worth 2.5 each. Each well is considered in turn. If they have tested the first well twice at the appropriate times but they have not tested the second well at all, they will AUTOFAIL because one of their water uses is not proven potable. The operation has not met the program requirement to show potability for all water uses.
If the operation had tested the first well twice at the appropriate times and only tested the second well prior to use, they would score 5/10. They would NOT get 7.5 points. The marks are allotted based on completing testing for ALL of the water uses. The scoring is determined by the tests not completed (unless of course they have all been done appropriately).
In the chart in L3B (out of 8 points):
As in the chart in L3A, the operation must provide results from two tests that show potability for each water use. Each test is worth 4 points. If no testing at all has been done on one (or more) of the water uses, the score is 0. The Yes/No guidance in the chart will be used to determine the scoring.
If ANY certificate is missing, the most the operation can score is 5/20. For brokerage operations, if any certificates are missing, scoring is not automatically 5/20. Points can be assigned between 1 and 19.