Joining FABBL may well prove premium decision
Joining FABBL may well prove premium decision
Is meeting farm assurance
standards worthwhile for
producers joining schemes
as demand for assured stock
rises? Hannah Velten asks
an inspector and prodcuer
WITHOUT Farm Assured British Beef and Lamb status, many producers are having difficulty marketing stock and are losing out on premium prices.
But joining the scheme is a relatively painless process.
According to John Uffold, partner in charge of Ludlow Market, supermarket buyers are insisting that finished cattle are FABBL registered. "These cattle are attracting premiums of at least 5p/kg liveweight – far more than the annual FABBL subscription of £85."
With 50 new members a week and 18,000 beef and sheep units now FABBL registered, many producers are realising the benefits of the scheme, says FABBLs Philippa Wiltshire.
New members are coming from several distinct categories of producer, believes Neil Wright, a FABBL inspector.
"Store producers, particularly those in the Welsh borders, who sell heifers at 15 months old for finishing are registering, otherwise they have problems selling to FABBL registered finishers," he says. Finishers have to keep non-FABBL stores on-farm for 90 days before they become farm assured, even if they are ready for slaughter after two months. When store producers are registered, then the 90-day residency period can be split between finisher and the previous holding, allowing them to be sold earlier, he says.
According to Mr Wright, dairy producers are also joining the scheme as they are now selling calves they kept when the Calf Processing Scheme ended in 1999.
Beef producers in England selling cattle to Scottish finishers are also registering. Under Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association (SQBLA) assurance scheme requirements stock must be born, reared and finished on farm assured units.
Annual renewals make up a percentage of Mr Wrights inspection work. Major abattoirs and markets have internet access to FABBL records, allowing them to double check for current members, so re-registration is essential. Joining FABBL involves meeting certain requirements, which are checked when the farm is inspected. Standards include good stock husbandry and welfare, safe housing, accurate medicine records and prevention of environmental pollution.
Paperwork and records specific to FABBL must also be maintained, such as a medicine purchase and administration record.
Paperwork is one area where inspectors reckon they are likely to notice slip-ups. "A common reason for inspection non-conformance is that staff training is not recorded, such as college and Agricultural Training Board courses. However, evidence of competent stockmanship is not restricted to qualifications, because experience counts," says Mr Wright.
But there can be problems on-farm too. Condition of cattle crushes is another common failing, when panels are damaged and insecure floors need an overhaul, he adds.
"Medicine cupboards are another hot spot – they are not always secure, contain out-of-date medicines and there is often no evidence of a sharps container for disposing of used needles."
Producers usually have a month after inspection to make any required changes and units are routinely inspected every 18 months and may be spot checked to ensure standards are maintained, says Mr Wright,