Protected Agricultural Stewardship Standards
Please visit this page regularly for program updates.
Category 1 Resources
Basic Certification
Manual
A condensed manual has been prepared for sites seeking basic certification. It includes an abbreviated Compliance Assistance Manual.
Templates
For protocols C2, C3 and C4 can be downloaded here
Certification of Excellence
Manual
The 2024 Edition of the Protected Agricultural Stewardship Standards is currently in effect.
Assistance Manual
The Compliance Assistance Manual provides guidance and more information on the protocols
Templates
Referenced in the Compliance Assistance Manual can be downloaded here:
Emergency Response
Protocol E1 of the Standards requires operators to develop and maintain an emergency response plan. A sample ER plan ca be found here:
C1 Water Management Assessment
Manual
Protocol C1 requires operations to complete a water-management assessment that demonstrates their closed loop chemigation system is closed. The Water Assessment Manual provides guidance on how to complete a water assessment.
Templates
Referenced in the Water Assessment Manual can be found here:
Third Party Witness Declaration
Operators choosing to complete their own water assessment must have the procedure witnessed by a third party. This download contains the declaration to be completed by the Third Party Witness. This is not required if the Third party delivers the audit.
Sample Water Assessment Report
The following provides an example of a water assessment report. This report is required to successfully pass protocol C1.
Category 2 Resources
Declaration of Category 2 Protected Ag Operation Waiver
Download a sample of the Declaration of Category 2 Protected Ag Operation Waiver. Please register to complete the waiver.
General Resources
Bulletin 1
Who must meet the Protected Agricultural Stewardship Standards.
Equivalency Table for Third Party Certification Programs
This table is to assist Protected Ag Operators in assessing equivalency with the Canada Gap Food Safety program, the PrimusGFS program, SQF programs and or compliance under an Ontario MECP stormwater ECA.
Rate Card
This download contains details about audit rates.
