A review of farm to fork assurance schemes across the industry is currently underway.
The contents of this page are managed and updated by the Independent Commission to keep interested parties up to date on progress.
Background
The independent review has been jointly commissioned by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and AHDB, along with NFU Cymru, The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and NFU Scotland (NFUS), who will all form part of the Assurance Review leadership group, which has overall responsibility for its delivery.
The industry-wide Assurance Review is focused on repurposing assurance in a post-Brexit world.
It aims to seek feedback from all farmers, crofters and growers about all farm assurance schemes with a view to revolutionising farm to fork assurance, making it truly fit for the future.
The review will examine
- 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
Commissioners
The group have has appointed four commissioners who will be responsible for setting the terms of reference and a timeline to ensure the process provides clear outcomes to the industry. The commissioners appointed to undertake the review are:
- 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 Williams – former Civil Servant in Policy making and shaping and implementation of legislation
The commission has reinforced the need for good industry engagement as well as transparency throughout this process and as such will be setting out detailed plans in the coming weeks. This will likely include face-to-face engagement at key industry events, a survey and a consultation process.
The commissioners will be supported by Promar International and Supply Chain InSites (SCI) within the review, ensuring transparency and independence.
About Promar International and SCI
Promar International is a leading agri food consulting firm with 140 staff working with UK and international farmers, farmer groups, food processors, retailers and foodservice operators as well as government organisations, trade associations and levy boards. Promar is subsidiary of Genus plc.
The SCI team have a long history in farm and food assurance and certification. They are accredited by UKAS to ISO17065 and have extensive experience with a wide range of schemes and certification bodies. More detailed information can be found here.
Call for Evidence
The review will include the following processes:
- Snapshot of UK Farm Assurance Standards
- Articulate Sector Needs
- Call for the Views from Farmers
- Call for Views from the Supply Chain
To ensure a thorough review which is truly representative of UK Farm Assurance Standards, we very much welcome the submission of evidence from all stakeholders.
Farm Survey
This survey is now live, and will remain so until the 31st August 2024. We would appreciate any submissions from farm businesses of all sectors and sizes, whether part of one or more or no Farm Assurance Standards that are based within the UK. A list of FAQs can be found here.
The survey can be access by click this link: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/promaraf-2021/the-uk-farm-assurance-review
Open Consultation Response
If you are not a farmer, but are a stakeholder of the industry, we would still very much like to gain your thoughts and opinions on the Farm Assurance Standards within the UK. This call for evidence is now open, and will remain so until the 15th September 2024. To access this call for evidence, please email: uk-farm-assurance-review@genusplc.com
If you would like to discuss anything further, then please contact: uk-farm-assurance-review@genusplc.com
Upcoming Events
The commissioners will be attending the following events, and would welcome engagement and discussion with farmers and stakeholders. For further information please email: uk-farm-assurance-review@genusplc.com
| NSA Sheep 2024 | 30 July | 10.15am 2.30pm | Rear of Barn NSA Stand |
| Visit to Northern Ireland | 28/29 August | – | – |
| Potato Days UK | 4 September | 12.00 noon | The Marquee |
| UK Dairy Day | 11 September | 11:00am onwards | Promar International in attendance on AHDB Stand |
| The Dairy Show | 2 October | 2.00pm | The Theatre |
The visit to Northern Ireland (end of August) will include a meeting with UFU members and with a number of other agricultural organisations.
Online discussion groups are being set up, in conjunction with the relevant agricultural societies, for the areas usually covered by the Royal Cornwall Show, the Royal Norfolk Show and the Westmoreland Show.
Contact
If you would like further information or discuss directly with us, then please contact: uk-farm-assurance-review@genusplc.com