What is traceability in agriculture
In practice, this means systematically documenting the flow of products and all the inputs used to produce them.
At European level, traceability is regulated by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.
This documentation includes:
- the identification of the technical inputs used (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products)
- the recording of agronomic practices
- the monitoring of the product throughout the processing facilities
- the monitoring of logistics and transportation.
The goal is to create an agricultural traceability system that makes it possible to verify the history, location and management of each product batch.
Penalties: what's at stake for non-compliance
Failing to adopt an agricultural traceability system is a violation of the law. Legislative Decree 190/2006, which transposes the regulation, sets out a system of penalties based on the severity and repetition of the infringements.
| Violazione | Sanzione | Cosa comporta |
|---|---|---|
| Violazione base | € 750 – 4.500 | Per mancata predisposizione delle procedure di tracciabilità o mancato rispetto degli obblighi degli art. 19-20. |
| Omissione informazioni | € 750 – 4.500 | Per mancata comunicazione alle autorità competenti o mancato avvio delle procedure di ritiro di prodotti a rischio. |
| Violazione reiterata | Sospensione attività | Da 10 a 20 giorni in caso di reiterazione delle violazioni, con impatto diretto sulla continuità produttiva e commerciale. |
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Be aware: losing a contract with a buyer or facing a public recall of a batch due to missing agricultural traceability documentation can cost more than a fine and can damage the company’s reputation within the supply chain.
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How traceability works in practice: from field to market
Identification of the production unit
Farm registration details, identification of the field or crop plot, area in hectares, crop planted. This is the starting point of every traceability record
Recording of inputs
Seeds (variety, lot, supplier), fertilizers (type, quantity, application date), plant protection products (commercial name, active ingredient, dose, treatment date, pest or disease treated). Every purchase and every use must be documented
Farm logbook (treatment register)
The document required by law that records all plant protection treatments carried out on each crop. It must be filled in within 30 days of the treatment and kept for at least 3 years
Identification of the production batch
Each harvested lot receives a unique identifier that links it to the field records. This is the batch number that enables backward traceability throughout the entire supply chain
Documentation of commercial movements
Every product transfer must be accompanied by documents (delivery notes, invoices, delivery/intake records) that link the batch to the buyer. The documentary chain must never be broken
Traceability as a competitive advantage
Market access
Performance analysis
Alert management
Certifications
APOD is a Producer Organization that brings together agricultural businesses and operates in accordance with numerous quality, safety and sustainability standards and certifications.
Manage your production traceability with Apod
Frequently asked questions about traceability in agriculture
