ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND POLICY
Environmental Management within the Agrocentre Network
The Agrocentre network is proud to adhere to the environmental protection policies and values of its partner, La Coop fédérée. All the network’s branches have a certificate of authorization issued by the MDDEFP authorizing them to legally operate fertilizer blending facilities. This is sufficient proof of environmental compliance from competent authorities.
To maintain a high level of environmental management and improve performance, the Agrocentre network continuously participates in environmental protection. It has its own environmental policy which requires compliance with existing environmental laws, regulations, and applicable requirements, as well as with the policy of its partner, and the taking of appropriate measures to prevent pollution (See the Environmental Policy of the Agrocentre network).
Among these measures, the following actions are enforced:
Among these measures, the following actions are enforced:
- The Agrocentre network is gradually implementing an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO 14001 at its blending facilities to maintain and improve environmental management at its branches.
- All blending facilities are regularly audited for environmental compliance so that required corrective measures are continuously taken in order to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and best practices.
- All blending facilities have an environmental emergency procedure in the event of a spill.
- All real estate transactions are subjected to an environmental site assessment to measure the environmental and financial risk.
- On an ad hoc
basis, during board meetings, an environmental management scorecard is provided on an environmental topic in order to address environmental compliance, adopt corrective measures, and set improvement goals for each Agrocentre.
- Finally, the environmental compliance indicators are reported quarterly to the authorities of the partner of the Agrocentre network, and annually to the board of directors of La Coop fédérée in the annual environmental status report produced by the environmental department.
Environmental Policy
The Agrocentre network, concerned with the quality of life of its employees, clients, and the public, ensures that its businesses, activities, products, and services are environmentally responsible. To do so, every Agrocentre agrees to undertake the following:
- Comply with environmental laws, regulations, and other applicable requirements, and with the policy of its partner, La Coop fédérée, and to take the appropriate measures to prevent pollution.
- Regularly assess its environmental performance to ensure that it is continuously improving.
- Implement and continuously update emergency plans to react appropriately to environmental emergency situations.
- Conduct an environmental assessment of the businesses, activities, and assets that it intends to acquire or launch.
- Establish environmental management training programs for employees and managers.
- Make its environmental policy, objectives, and projects known to employees and managers, and encourage members, partners, and affiliated companies to adhere to them.
- Make sure its environmental policy is enforced and provide an environmental activities report to the board of directors of every Agrocentre at least once a year. This commitment is the responsibility of the managers of each Agrocentre. Furthermore, the Agrocentre director will produce a review report to La Coop fédérée Board of Governors on the environmental situation among in the Agrocentre network.