Are farm assurance schemes supporting farmers?

This is the main focus of NFU Scotland’s submission to the independent UK Farm Assurance Review (FAR), with NFUS calling for current farm assurance systems to change and for farm assurance schemes to work more for the interests of the primary producer in the future.

In its submission, the Union stated that members recognised some of the benefits which assurance schemes provide, but that there were many fundamental issues which must be addressed.

Those issues included:

• Perceived lack of value for money that assurance schemes provide.

• The growing audit burden on farms and crofts.

• Concerns about the governance of schemes.

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Writing NFU Scotland’s submission, director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “NFUS has been in support of the principles of farm assurance for decades and remains so. But many of our farming and crofting members, across a full range of sectors, have used this review to make clear a significant number of concerns around the function and value of current schemes. Those must be taken forward by the review to ensure farm assurance schemes are fit for purpose and serve the needs of our farmers and crofters in the future.

“We look to the appointed independent commissioners carrying out the review to make clear recommendations that, when adopted, will improve audit systems, utilise technology, rebuild trust, improve communications, and introduce more transparency and accountability into our farm assurance schemes.”

NFUS is seeking outcomes from the review that result in the following;

• Assurance schemes deliver meaningful change for members and act on the recommendations that are put forward.

• Deliver greater value for money to scheme members through premiums, preferential market access or promotion of Scottish and British produce.

• Progress is made to address the on-farm audit burden, reduce complexity and duplication, and change the culture of audit to one that guides and supports good practice.

• Concerns about farmer representation and trust in the governance of assurance schemes are addressed.

• Assurance schemes can challenge buyers’ sourcing policies which undermine domestic standards.

• Consumer trust in domestic and export markets for Scottish and British food is enhanced.

• The unique needs of different sectors in the assurance landscape are recognised.

Mr Hall added: “We fully support the intentions and purpose of the review. It presents a significant opportunity for farmers and crofters, supply chain actors, stakeholders and assurance schemes to find a new way forward to address the many concerns of the primary producer."

Quality Meat Scotland chair, Kate Rowell, said: “We welcome the independent UK Farm Assurance Review which will help get to the root of the barriers and challenges faced by farmers in relation to UK quality assurance processes, and look forward to engaging with stakeholders once the final report is published to understand how we can continue to evolve our vitally important assurance schemes that underpin the brand marketing of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.

“It is paramount that industry voices and on ground experience is at the core of decision-making around scheme development and, indeed in 2022 following feedback from producers, Quality Meat Scotland’s Board undertook a governance review of our standards setting process, which have led to changes including an increase of farmer representation on the standard setting committees, and adding in a new step of consultation on any proposed changes before they are brought in.

“It is encouraging to see recognition for some of the benefits of assurance schemes and we know from our consumer research that verification of provenance, high welfare and standards continues to be really important to consumers in Scotland.”