SOMA
Accreditation for operators spreading organic material
SOMA (Spreading Organic Materials Assurance) is our accreditation scheme for operators applying organic materials to land for agricultural benefit. It aims to create a base level of competency amongst operators applying waste derived materials to land and increase the awareness of the responsibilities; both from a legal perspective as well as an environmental and social.
It is our aim for all individuals and organisations involved in applying organic materials to land to be certified with the SOMA scheme, and for this to become a regulatory requirement throughout the UK.
In the waste sector, the primary focus is to reduce, reuse and recycle materials to reduce the quantity of landfill produced in the UK. Many of the organic waste materials produced can be recovered to land for agricultural benefit. At this point, these waste derived materials cease to be wastes, and have an asset value.
As a nation, the ability to recover these materials to land is of extreme importance, and in order to protect this outlet it is felt that a base level of competency should be introduced for all operators. This level can be achieved through SOMA, which will accredit operators who have taken and passed an approved training course.
Scheme details
The technical manual gives an outline syllabus for the training course that should be taken. It states that only WAMITAB accredited courses are suitable to be taken. Upon taking the course, a short written assessment will be taken, and when passed the operator will be issued with accreditation documents.
Operators who hold the assurance will be issued with a photo ID card as well as being listed online as being accredited. This will allow them to demonstrate to the industry that they are assured and market themselves to organisations who want to ensure their materials are only applied by members of SOMA. Membership of SOMA costs £70 plus VAT per year.
Once accredited, operators will be expected to maintain their CPD and keep up to date with changing regulations. To maintain accreditation, operators will have to sit a one-day refresher course every three years. This will be dated from the point that the operator becomes assured, and the operator will be reminded by the scheme that their refresher course is due. Currently, Fieldfare Associates offers a course which meets the terms of the scheme.
Please contact us for information regarding SOMA rules, course details and cost, course syllabus, and operational details.
Download the SOMA introduction poster for more information.
Accredited operators
Aberdeenshire - Sinclair Agricultural & Recycling Services
Accredited operators: Various
East Yorkshire - Green Agricultural Services Ltd
Accredited operators: Will Green, Ryan Black, Garry Clark, Mike Neville
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