News-In-Brief
Your feedback on assessors || Changing DEFRA rules on ID requirements for fertiliser purchases || New calf housing grants
Over the last year we have been gathering feedback from our members via a survey completed following their assessment. The aim is to use the feedback from the entire process to help us understand where changes might be needed or can be made. One of the key elements of this has been the levels of satisfaction with assessors which is consistent with previous results, at an average of 4.65/5.
Red Tractor's compliance lead, Kate Cross said:
"This level of satisfaction is encouraging news. It shows that members value the professionalism of the assessor who visits the farm/site to undertake the assessment. The figure reflects the ongoing work RT and the certification bodies have undertaken to improve assessor training on both technical and interaction skills. Our Assessors and certified bodies continue to ensure that assessments are carried out consistently, and efficiently as possible."
Feedback from our members matters because we are always looking for ways to improve.
This month we have launched a revised post assessment survey. This will be sent out to the primary contact for the membership following completion of their next assessment. The survey has been streamlined from 18 down to only 10 questions and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. We shall be regularly reviewing the feedback and using the data to help us continue to improve.
If you do have a concern with your assessor or are not satisfied with the service of your certification body, please tell us:
Follow our complaints procedure
Contact memberhelp@redtractor.org.uk
APHA is actively seeking supportive information to bolster Great Britain (GB)'s pursuit of attaining negligible BSE risk status, as recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly known as OIE).
This sought-after status will serve to facilitate trade and grant access to new markets for the export of British beef and feed products.
Currently, GB holds controlled BSE risk status, but to qualify for negligible BSE risk status, effective BSE surveillance and sufficient mitigation measures must be demonstrated to prevent any further cases of BSE.
In 2021, a case of BSE was detected in England, and it was potentially linked to residual contaminated feed from a silo that had been in use since the 1980s which was deemed the most probable source of infection.
To support the application for a change in GB's BSE risk status, APHA needs to assess the number of silos or similar loose feed containers that predate the 1996 feed ban and are still in use on cattle farms or have been used recently.
APHA has developed a brief survey to support the application. Your participation will be valuable in ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the risk assessment process. Click here to take the survey.
The Home Office has made amendments to the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023, adding new substances to the list of regulated explosives precursors and poisons. This includes Ammonium Nitrate (AN) with a nitrogen content of 16% or higher.
From 1 October this year farmers will be required to provide photo ID to the retailer when buying compounds, blends, and mixtures, such as NPK fertilisers containing AN above the specified nitrogen content threshold. The photo ID submitted can belong to any authorised person working for the farm business who is responsible for making purchases.
For further information, please visit GOV.UK or AIC.
DEFRA announce new calf housing grants guidance, that is set to open for applications later this summer.
Cattle keepers will have the opportunity to access grants ranging from £15,000 to £500,000, serving as co-funding support for new and upgraded calf housing. The initial focus of the grant is on enhancing social contact and creating a conducive ambient environment for the calves.
DEFRA hopes this grant funding will help cattle keepers to adapt their housing facilities to withstand extreme weather conditions and address the challenges posed by a changing climate. With the help of this grant, farmers can invest in roof-top solar panels, ensuring a reliable source of thermal insulation and cost-effective energy for calf housing.
Moreover, this initiative expands the scope of support already available through the Farming Transformation Fund, which presently includes grants for slurry improvements, water management, and productivity enhancements. All initiatives that will help to propel the agricultural sector towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Click here for more information about the grant.
