- What is the overall objective of the Review?
The main objective of the Review is to conduct a comprehensive and independent evaluation of the UK’s farm assurance schemes. Up to 14 schemes across the UK, including sector-specific standards, have been identified for evaluation. It will focus on repurposing UK farm assurance for a post-Brexit world. To date, the purpose of the review has been positively received.
One of the key intentions is, though, to see the whole issue of farm assurance from the view of the farmer, as well as other key farming and food sector stakeholders.
Areas that will be assessed will include, but not be limited to:
- how farm assurance can deliver value back to scheme members
- how standards are developed to meet the evolving needs of members, the markets they serve, sector diversity and in appreciation of the global marketplace
- how assurance members are engaged with (including the development of standards), inspected and how technology is used in assurance now and in future
- how assurance schemes can and should fit with regulation and government schemes to best serve members
Key principles of the Review are that it should be:
- independent
- transparent
- inclusive
- Who are the Commissioners leading this exercise?
These are as follows:
- Dr David Llewellyn CBE (Lead Commissioner) – former Vice Chancellor of Harper Adams University
- James Withers – former Chief Executive Officer of Scotland Food and Drink
- Mark Suthern – Chairman of Trustees of the Farming Community Network (FCN)
- Katrina Wiliams CB – a former civil servant holding positions in Defra, the Scottish Government and as part of the UK Permanent Delegation to the European Commission
- Why were they selected to lead this Review?
The Commissioners were appointed by the NFU/AHDB Farm Assurance Leadership Review Group, based on their individual and collective knowledge of the UK farming and food sector and of leading high level investigations into it.
None of the Commissioners have any connections with the farm assurance industry and so can ensure the independence of the review process and ultimately its conclusions and the recommendations they make at the end of it.
At various agricultural shows over the summer, the Commissioners have met, or still intend to meet, farmers and other industry organisations. This will be to discuss and explain the objectives of the Review, how it will operate over the next few months and to receive feedback on this.
- What is the role of the NFU and AHDB in this Review?
The review was jointly set up by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and AHDB, along with NFU Cymru, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and NFU Scotland (NFUS). Clearly, these organisations are key stakeholders to such a Review, but several other points should be noted here too:
- the Review is planned to obtain a robust evidence base from all organisations/individuals who have an involvement and interest in the subject of farm assurance
- the Commissioners, over the course of the Review have the licence to investigate any areas they deem to be in the remit of their Terms of Reference and are free to do this in an independent manner
- What is the role of Promar International and SCI?
Reporting to the Commissioners and not directly to the NFU or AHDB to ensure its independence and transparency, Promar International, working with Supply Chain InSites (SCI), will be supporting the work of the Commissioners for the duration of the Review. They were appointed by the Commissioners after a formal tendering process.
- What farm products will be covered in the Review?
These will be a review of current UK farm assurance schemes across fresh produce, potatoes, poultry, dairy, beef, pork, lamb, sugar, eggs, oilseeds and cereals.
- What are the key stages of the Review?
The farmer survey is though just one part of a comprehensive consultation process to gather opinions from farmers and growers nationwide.
Unlike many consultations that rely merely on established organisations, this Review seeks direct input from all farmers and growers. While the farmer survey has gathered some attention, this is part of a broader approach in this consultation, including:
- Engaging producers at agricultural events and shows
- Hosting face-to-face and online meetings
- Conducting individual interviews with key supply chain figures
- Securing evidence from key organisations
This process also involves a literature review and consultations with food processors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry bodies, consumer groups, assurance schemes, DEFRA and the devolved governments. These are an assessment of industry needs and requirements; a “call for views” from the supply chain (i.e. food processors, retailers, industry bodies and representative groups, consumer bodies, the assurance schemes themselves, DEFRA and the devolved administrations and other key industry stakeholders), several workshop sessions between Promar/SCI and the Commissioners and then the development of draft and final reports.
The draft and final reports will also be peer reviewed by Dr Rebecca Smalley (see below) and Professor Chris Elliott, from Queens University Belfast, a leading expert on UK and international food supply chains and the implications for food quality, authenticity, integrity and safety. He has published more than 350 papers on the subject and led the government review into the 2013 UK horse meat problems.
- Is this another review of the Red Tractor scheme?
The UK Farm Assurance Review will, of course, include the Red Tractor scheme. It is however a far wider review of all farm assurance schemes in the UK, including those in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will also cover sector specific standards. At this stage, the Review has identified up to14 schemes across the UK that will be included in the Review.
- Who designed the farmer survey that has been circulated?
The farm survey was initially designed by Promar International with input from SCI.
Promar has over 50 years of experience of designing these sorts of surveys.
Dr Rebecca Smalley’s input was also sought. This was to ensure its robustness and independence.
Dr Smalley carried out, as part of her dissertation at the University of Reading, specifically on the role of farm assurance schemes in the UK, several surveys, using several different research techniques.
The survey was then approved by the Commissioners before being released. While the NFU and AHDB saw the topic guide at this stage, they had no active involvement in its design, structure or content.
10. On the farm survey that is underway, how do I know any data I submit will be safe and cannot be double submitted?
The survey has been created using JISC, an online design survey tool accredited to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, the professional standard for information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection. You can read more about JISC data security here.
The survey is anonymous, to allow farmers/producers to complete the survey completely in an open, independent manner. Whilst we would never use or pass on details or attribute feedback to individuals, we have made this decision to remove any doubt or concern that might impact on the answers given.
The Commissioners are assured that all responses are being screened against several criteria, as a way of validation. We can also remove any response that has been submitted too quickly (indicating that the respondent has probably not read the questions fully or might have been engaged in duplicating submissions).
11. How has the survey been publicised?
A first press release about the Review was sent out to all major agricultural, food industry and regional press in May. A second press release was sent out in early July specifically about the farmer survey.
The survey was initially featured on the websites of the farming unions and AHDB. It has since been featured on numerous other industry web sites, industry publications and on social media, including LinkedIn and Twitter (X).
12. What are the next steps in the Review?
The farmer survey will remain open until 31st August 2024.
In the meantime, the supply chain consultation process will also begin in the next few weeks. This will be in the form of individual meetings, as well as an online consultation, in accordance with established practice for a review process of this nature.
13. When will the Review be completed?
It is intended, at this stage, that work of Review will be completed by the end of year.
14. What is the relationship of the UK Farm Assurance Review with other assignments in the area of standards that are ongoing ?
It is well known that other work has been commissioned by the AHDB on the subject of standards in the beef, lamb, cereals and oilseeds sectors. While some of the findings of this work might be used in a literature review etc and form part of an evidence base for the Commissioners, this work is not directly related to the work of the UK Farm Assurance Review. The FAR is operating on an independent basis of any other work and the Commissioners have no involvement with this other work.
15. How will the Review work with the Assurance Schemes themselves ?
The Farm Assurance Review wants to consult with a wide range of stakeholders, not least the Assurance Schemes that operate across the UK farming and food sector. They will be given every opportunity to interact with the Commissioners at various stages of the Review.
We hope that you find the above information useful.
Dr David Llewellyn CBE (Lead Commissioner of the UK Farm Assurance Review)
Further details
For further details about this Review and how it will be managed, please feel free to contact:
- The UK Farm Assurance Review