Farm Assurance Schemes

Question 1

Role of vet in farm assurance schemes.

Answer 1

Policy level informing standards.
Enforcing standards.
Supporting farmer to meet standards.

Question 2

Food labelling.

Answer 2

Nutritional info.
Place of origin.
Place of processing.
Marketing claim.
Retailer policy.
Production system.

Question 3

List farm assurance schemes.

Answer 3

• Farm Assured Welsh Livestock.
• Lion Eggs Code of Practice.
• Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Schemes.
• Quality Meat Scotland.
• Red Tractor.
• RSPCA Assured.
• Soil Association.

Question 4

How do farm assurance schemes work?

Answer 4

• Awarding organisation sets standards.
• Farmers voluntarily apply.
• Farmers/farms are assessed against standards by the awarding organisation.
  – If successful, allowed to sell products with scheme label.
• Annual re-assessment.
  – Announced visits.
  – In some cases, spot checks.

Question 5

What are the 7 guiding principles developed by BVA to evaluate schemes by?

Answer 5

1. Lifetime assurance.
2. Welfare at slaughter.
3. Veterinary involvement.
4. Behavioural opportunity.
5. Responsible use of antimicrobials and other medicines.
6. Animal health and biosecurity.
7. Approach to sustainability and the environment.

Question 6

How do assurance schemes differ to legislative requirements?

Answer 6

ALL UK farms must meet legislative requirements but assurance schemes are voluntary and ‘opt in’ .
The standards of assurance schemes may go above legislative standards.
More regular inspection in comparison to legislative requirements.

Question 7

What do the “assurances” mean?

Answer 7

Some revolve around food safety and some around animal welfare.
Assurances may mean the pricing is higher in the farm assured products.

Question 8

Who are the stakeholders involved in farm assurance schemes?

Answer 8

Consumer
Farmer
Animals
Retailers.

Question 9

Benefits to animal welfare in farm assurance schemes.

Answer 9

Full healthy diet.
Safe, comfortable and hygienic housing available.
Cows producing milk must be milked daily.
Flock health Plan produced by vet and regularly reviewed.
Health and welfare records maintained.

Question 10

Vet-specific role in farm assurance.

Answer 10

Herd/flock health planning.
Well-tailored to the farm.
Reviews, and re-assessments.