Western Australian canola growers aiming to sell their grain through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme are required to complete new self-assessments to be eligible from the 2024-25 season onwards.
It is now compulsory for growers to complete a Self-Assessment form annually for both CBH Group and National Grower Register (NGR), in addition to the ISCC Self-Declaration.
The existing ISCC Self-Declaration is the agreement that growers understand the requirements of the ISCC scheme and are compliant with the ISCC rules. This obligation 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 compliancy, 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.
Grain Industry Association of Western Australia Chief Executive Officer, Peter Nash, said the new forms should provide more assurance to WA canola growers wanting to access this 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,” Peter 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.”
More information on changes can be found on the CBH Group, NGR and Sustainable Grains Australia websites.
Keys points for growers to consider:
- It is now compulsory to complete a self-assessment form for both CBH Group and NGR, as well as the ISCC Self-Declaration.
- Why two different forms?
- The ISCC Self-Declaration has been around for years and is the agreement that you know what is required and are compliant with the ISCC rules.
- The Self-Assessment is a tool to assist you in the case of an audit and to understand what is required to be compliant with the regulations in a more detailed format.
- These can be lodged online via CBH Loadnet and the NGR website with the added requirement for the self-assessment to be done on the Sustainable Grains Australia website for NGR.
- Do you understand the ramifications of not completing the forms?
- Some buyers will not purchase any non-ISCC grain including some of the larger canola buyers.
- There are discounts from $10 to $45 per tonne for non-ISCC grain for those buyers who will purchase it.
- This results in diminished competition for your grain, meaning you will have limited choices who you can sell to, and they may not be offering the highest prices or may be limited in the tonnes they will purchase
- If you do not have the forms completed ahead of time you may miss out on the often-short lived price rallies that canola can experience. Meaning you could miss out on higher prices.
- There is plenty of information, FAQs and tips available if you are unsure or have questions on either CBH Group or Sustainable Grains Australia websites.
- Contact your grain marketer to discuss in more detail.
Remember that canola will still be accepted and marketed outside the ISCC scheme, but price discounts will apply.
Key points source: Chris Tonkin, Ten Tigers Grain Marketing Pty Ltd
