Farm assurance provider NSF-CMi has bought Genesis Quality Assurance from The Leavesley Group.

The deal, which includes the Genesis subsidiary Integra Food Secure, strengthens NSF-CMi’s position as the main provider of farm assurance in the UK, although Genesis will continue to operate as an independent brand.

NSF-CMi already manages a number of crop and livestock inspection and certification schemes in collaboration with various organisations, including:

• Red Tractor Farm Assurance – combinable crops & sugar beet

• Assured Dairy Farm scheme

• Freedom Food schemes

• LEAF Marque

• Tesco NURTURE

• Organic certification

• ISO 22000

Since it was set up in 1999, Genesis QA had grown to provide farm assurance for more than 4000 arable, beef & sheep, dairy and pig producers. It prided itself on providing “straightforward, commonsense but effective and credible” assurance for farmers.

“We are proud to have established these businesses, but we believe that for them to optimise their potential, they will be better served by a specialist company operating throughout the world,” James Leavesley said.

“NSF-CMi has an impressive track record and is well placed to develop the businesses over the next few years.”

A spokesman for NSF-CMi said it would be “business as usual for all the Genesis members”.

• Will the acquisition be good news for existing Genesis QA members? Tell us what you think in the FWi forums at www.fwi.co.uk/forums