Assured British MeatN e w s l e t t e r

A R E D T R A C T O R S C H E M E

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It includes a full set of standards andappendices (including worked examples ofall records), blank record templates,complete copies of all required and someuseful publications and other useful infor-mation. In addition it also has a sectioncontaining the EBLEX Action for Profit Fact-sheets and an area explaining the servicesavailable from MLC Economics. All ABMfarmers will find a copy of the CD enclosedwith this newsletter.

For further copies please contact

ABM on 01908 844 315.

To use the CD, insert it into your computer’s CDdrive and wait for the ABM Farm Members CDto open. If the CD fails to run automatically, goto “My Computer” and double-click on the iconnamed “Open ABM Farm Members CD” thatappears in the window to run the CD.

Farm assured cattle receivedover £40 per head more in2005 than non-assuredanimals, according to a finalreport compiled by the EnglishBeef and Lamb Executive(EBLEX).

The updated report compares prices atEnglish auction markets reporting to the MLCfor farm assured and non-farm assured cattleand sheep from January to December 2005.This found that farm assured total cattleshowed an average price differential of7.11p/kg equating to £40.88 per head.

For sheep, farm assured new season lamb generated an average 1.86p/kgdifferential and old season lamb 0.71p/kg.

It also found that being farmassured returned an average£1.27/head advantage for allewes.

The full report, which will be made available online at www.eblex.org.uk, showed

that steers had the highest farm assuredprice differential of 8.51p/kg, equating to£51.06 per animal and that farm assuredheifers showed an advantage of £42.26.Young bulls, if they were farm assuredshowed an average £22.19 per headdifferential.

Prices for farm assured and non-farmassured finished cattle and sheep areavailable on the EBLEX website atwww.eblex.org.uk/marketprices/prices.php

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“ABM is acutely aware that farmers see farmassurance as a burden, particularly because ofthe time it takes to prepare for inspectionsand get all the required information,” said IanFrood, ABM Chairman. “We are clear thatfarm assurance is not just about askingquestions but must also be about providingthe answers. This is what we aim to do with

our latest revisions and publications which Ihope producers will welcome.”

The ABM beef and lamb farm standards havebeen revised in line with changing legislationand market requirements and will beimplemented from 1 October 2006. Thestandards revision process involved workingclosely with other UK beef and lambassurance schemes to agree a common formof words and therefore avoid confusion.

Producers will have received a copy of therevised standards directly from theircertification body (CMi, EFSIS–FABBL, or PAI).

inside New members website Page 2 ● Updated standards Pages 3 & 4

Assurance price benefit update

If British product is reared on an assured farm, travels on assuredtransport, is processed through an assured abattoir, it is eligible tocarry the Red Tractor logo.

In addition, if it meets certain eating quality criteria it can also carrythe EBLEX Quality Standard Mark.

ABM, in consultation with industry, sets beef and lamb farmstandards for the Scheme and then licences them to certificationbodies. ABM is also responsible for setting standards for markets,abattoirs and transport.

ABM represent assured farmers and businesses to Defra, FSA,LACORS, industry trade associations and other independent bodies.

Assured farmers will receive an inspection from their chosencertification body at least every 18 months.

The certification body will issue the farmer with a certificate onpassing the criteria of the inspection.

Farmers can apply to either of the certification bodies to become amember of the ABM beef and lamb assurance scheme.

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Farm

ABM helping farmersDuring the revision of the standards ABMhas focused much more on helpingmembers by:

• Re-vamping the ABM websitewww.abm.org.uk to make it easier touse and provide producers with all theup-to-date relevant information in aseparate area dedicated to farmmembers.

• Providing “worked” examples of allrecords and relevant additionalproducer guidance and informationwithin the standards

• Highlighting for producers thosestandards which are also arequirement under Cross Compliance to reinforce their importance.

• Creating templates for all records required by the standards so that producers are able toprint them off and fill in, or keep updated electronically.

• Highlighting all publications which are required and recommended by the standards.

• Making all required publications accessible directly from the ABM website.

The ABM Beef & Lamb Farm Assurance Chain

In July, ABM announced that PAI Ltdwould be able to inspect and certifyto the ABM Beef and Lamb FarmStandards from 1 October 2006.

The licensing of the standards to a thirdcertification body will provide farmerswith a greater choice of service providerto enable them to have the most efficientinspection and certification process,suited to the business’s needs. PAI Ltdare also licensed by AFS to certifyexisting Red Tractor schemes (AssuredCombinable Crops, Assured British Pigs,Assured Produce Scheme and AssuredDairy Farms).

The three licensed Certification Bodiesfor ABM beef and lamb farms are:

CMi Ltd Tel: 01993 885 610

EFSIS-FABBL Tel: 01908 231 642

PAI Tel: 01423 878 875

NewInspectors

ConsumerMarketing

Farm Assurance Scheme

Members

Inspectors

A R E D T R A C T O R S C H E M E 3

Updated beef and lamb standarANIMAL HEALTHHealth plans

Effective health planning can help farmersimprove the health of animals and theprofitability of their business. The currentABM requirement for a herd health plan hasbeen expanded to cover vaccination policy,parasite control, routine managementprocedures and veterinary operations.

Action: If the existing plan does not coverthe new requirements, transfer theinformation from it to the ABM templateand complete the additional areas. Ensureplan is implemented on farm.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity on assured farms must not becompromised. A written policy is nowrequired to ensure risks of spread of diseasespecific to the farm have been identified andbiosecurity procedures are in place to ensurethe risks are reduced.

Action: Identify the biosecurity risks specificto the farm using the ABM policy in thestandards manual and ABM template andimplement the procedure. Make sure allstaff and regular visitors are aware of thebiosecurity procedures.

Broken needle policy

Although a rare occurrence it is importantthat procedures are in place to prevent anybroken needles remaining in meat purchasedby consumers. The farm must have a writtenpolicy outlining the action that would betaken in the event of, or suspicion of, aneedle or part of a needle being left in ananimal, and must operate the policy.

Action: Use the written policy contained inthe standards manual appendices and alterto make specific to the farm if necessary.

ANIMAL FEEDCompound feed

If purchasing bulk/loose compound feedthrough a merchant, they must now be amember of the UFAS merchant scheme toensure that feed continues to be fullytraceable at all times and kept in storageareas that are clean and suitable whilst intheir possession.

Action: If buying bulk/loose compound feedfrom a merchant make sure they are a UFASmerchant.

Warranty declaration

Where the supplier of feed materials, cropby-products and feed grains is not an assured

merchant or farm an expanded warrantydeclaration is required to provide morereassurance to the purchaser that the feed isfit for purpose.

Action: Try to ensure that all suppliers offeed materials are assured. If they are not,

take the relevant ABM template and ensureit is completed by all suppliers of feedmaterials. It only needs to be completedonce for each supplier/product.

New feed code of practice

Farmers mixing feed on farm must have acopy of the new Industry Code of Practice forOn-farm Feeding. The Code covers all animalfeeding and provides guidance on bestpractice and the legal requirements followingthe new Feed Hygiene Regulations of 1 January 2006. It replaces the old NFU Code of Practice for On-farm mixers.

Action: Get a copy of the Code from ABMwebsite www.abm.org.uk. It is also on theABM CD enclosed with this newsletter.

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NON-ORGANIC WASTE DISThe new waste management legislation means it is nfarm. Any waste including pesticides and agro-chemitimes and in accordance with legislation. A useful we

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Actionwaste they us

PESTICIDE USAGEProtection of the environment is animportant area of the standards whichpreviously did not cover the use ofpesticides. When pesticide or an agro-chemical is applied to grazing or forageconservation land, it must be done inaccordance with current legislation andDefra Codes of Good Agricultural Practice.Over-applicationof pesticidesand agro-chemicalsmust beavoided.

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FERTILISER SECURITYIn these days of increased awareness ofterrorism the secure storage of fertiliser isvital. All AFS farm assurance schemes haveincluded the following standards to reducethe likelihood that the Government will needto inspect farms to check.

Farms must have a copy of the ‘Security ofFertiliser Storage on Farms’ leaflet (which isrecreated as appendix 24 of the ABMstandards); store fertiliser in such a way as toreduce the risk of theft and have a procedurewhich details what action will be taken if adiscrepancy or theft of fertiliser is discovered.

Action: Read, consider and keep the leaflet(printed in the ABM manual); consider howand where fertiliser is stored; ensure it isobvious if any has been tampered with;complete the relevant ABM template giving

a procedure for notifyingdiscrepancies and make all staff aware of it.Visit www.secureyourfertiliser.co.uk formore information.

If you have suspicions about somebody’sactivities or behaviour, or if you have anyinformation that might be relevant, call thepolice Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321. In an emergency, always dial 999.

FARM PROCEDURESClean & tidy

Public perception of farming, especiallyanimal welfare, is significantly influenced bywhat they can see. The farm must be cleanand tidy. This specifically relates to areas ofthe farm appearance where it impacts onfood safety, animal welfare or environmentalprotection.

Action: Keep the farm looking reasonablytidy by removing scrap machinery andrubbish or storing it tidily. Ensure livestockdo not have access to scrap.

Emergency list

Farmers must have access to importantcontact information so that emergencies canbe dealt with quickly to minimise the effectto people, stock and buildings.

Action: Fill in the ABM template with contactdetails relevant to the farm and ensure allstaff are aware of it/have the numbers.

Complaints

A record of any written complaints receivedby the farm relating to the beef and or lambenterprise must be kept together withdetails of actions taken to resolve theproblem and prevent reoccurrence. Thisrelates only to those that expressdissatisfaction in writing on a subject that iswithin the scope of these beef and lambfarm standards. A complaint might be froman abattoir (e.g. cleanliness of stock).

Action: Use ABM template to create acomplaints record. Even if there are nowritten complaints, keep the record so thereis a means to record them in future.

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SPOSALnow illegal to burn or bury non-organic waste oncal containers must be disposed of safely at allebsite for details of local Farm Waste collectiones is www.wasterecycling.org.uk.

n: Find an appropriate local waste collector. Use therecycling website or ask other local farmers who

se.

All documents referred to here are on the enclosed ABM CDand the ABM website www.abm.org.uk

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Transport/Markets/Abattoirs

Assured livestock transport is part of thespecified assurance chain for both theRed Tractor Logo and EBLEX QualityStandard Mark. As such it is vital to checkthat the vehicle carrying assured livestock isactually assured.

Livestock transport can take many guises,from a Landrover and trailer to an artic trailerand drag, with varying forms in-between.When an inspection of livestock transport isbeing undertaken, either under the ABM farmor transport scheme, the inspector will notedown a unique identification numberdepending on the type of vehicle.

A rigid vehicle will have it’s registration

number noted on the inspection form, whereasan Ifor Williams trailer or artic trailer will haveit’s chassis number and/or other unique IDrecorded. This means that ABM has a recordof every ‘container’ which has been inspectedand passed, either under the ABM Farmscheme or the ABM Transport schemerequirements.

When verifying whether a vehicle is ‘assured’or not, it is important to check the unique IDagainst the details held on the ABM database(www.abm.org.uk).

For further details on the ABM

transport scheme please contact

Sarah Long on 01908 844 185.

Identifying livestocktransport

Transport spot checks

The ABM Transport Scheme has been inplace since 1999 and now has over 550assured commercial hauliers. Everyhaulier is inspected on his own premises onan annual basis and when the vehicles areclean and empty.

Since it is vital that the requirements of thestandard are maintained between theinspections, ABM has instigated a series of“spot checks” at abattoirs and marketsaround the country to independently checkassured hauliers.

These ‘spot checks’ are being carried out asthe animals are unloaded and are aimed atminimising hassle or inconvenience for boththe haulier and the market/abattoir whilst atthe same time assessing the welfarespecific issues such as handling of livestockand stocking densities.

Any non-conformances found during a spotcheck are notified to the driver and are sentback to the relevant certification/inspectionbody who will ensure any non-conformancesare rectified to maintain compliance withscheme rules.

Small abattoirs join upAt least 20 small/medium-sized abattoirshave joined the ABM Abattoir, Cutting andPacking Plant scheme in the last 6 weeks.They will shortly undergo inspection andcertification before being eligible to applyfor a licence from Assured Food Standardsto use the Red Tractor Logo, or to EBLEX touse the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark. Thisbrings the total of businesses within thescheme to nearly 80.

PAI LtdAs from 1st April 2006 PAI Ltd have been able to inspect and certify to theABM Livestock Market and ABM Abattoir, Cutting and Packing Plant Standards.“The licensing of the standards to yet another Certification Body will providebusinesses within both sectors a greater choice of service provider to enable themto get the most efficient inspection/certification process with not only the ABM standards butexisting industry standards such as BRC and beef labelling requirements” comments Sarah Long,ABM Development Manager. PAI can be contacted on 01423 878 875.

For any queries relating to beef andlamb assurance contact:Assured British Meat (ABM) PO Box 5273Milton KeynesMK6 1HLTEL 01908 844 315FAX 01908 844 723EMAIL abmsec@abm.org.ukWEBSITE www.abm.org.uk

For all other Red Tractor Schemequeries contact:Assured Food Standards (AFS)4th Floor, Kings Building16 Smith SquareLondon SW1P 3JJTEL 020 7630 3320FAX 020 7630 3321EMAIL enquiries@redtractor.org.ukWEBSITE www.redtractor.org.uk

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useful contacts

Assured British Meat6

IN BRIEF…

EconomicsEconomics, part of MLC, producesmarket reports for all sectors of the UKmeat and livestock industry to keepcustomers abreast of developments.Published regularly throughout the yearthey provide industry news, marketinformation, up-to-the-minute prices andforecasts of future supply trends. Pleasesee the enclosed ABM CD for moreinformation and to receive free samplecopies and various four-week trials.

Economics can be contacted

on 01908 844 396.

Public procurementAFS are working with the NFU toproduce a leaflet for public procurersoutlining the benefits of buying RedTractor and farm assured food and howto source assured product.

The information for public procurers hasbeen produced to coincide with therevised Government public procurementbuying guidelines which now refers toRed Tractor and farm assured food.

The leaflet will be available in Octoberand will be part of a larger communi-cation plan with the public food sector.

For more information contact

Catherine Muckle at AFS on

020 7630 3328.

Sponsors this newsletter as part of our continuing support to UK farmers andgrowers – and our commitment to Red Tractor assured food standards.

ABM, on behalf of all the beef and lambassurance schemes, has recentlyproduced a poster clarifying whichschemes are recognised for the RedTractor logo. It has been sent to all marketsand abattoirs to ensure that all involved inpurchasing assured stock and monitoring farmassurance status are clear of the rules andhow to identify assured farmers.

The poster details all the recognised schemestogether with an example of their membershipstickers and the relevant on-line checker. Inaddition, it clearly highlights the scope of eachscheme in terms of the age of the animal.

To ensure that only assured farmers get thebenefit of their membership ABMrecommends that buyers of assured stock usethe following principles:

• Insist that farmers display valid farm

assurancemembership stickers on all booking-indocumentation. “No sticker – noassurance”.

• Use on-line checkers to verify and doublecheck the assurance status of producers.

• Display the Membership stickers poster ina prominent position for easy reference byrelevant staff.

Copies of the poster can be

obtained from ABM on 01908

844 315.

Food for thoughtDo you know where your food comesfrom? This was the question asked tochildren at the Royal Show. The ABMorganised competition involved childrenidentifying from a shopping list where foodsuch as steak and bacon originated. Thiswas also a great opportunity tocommunicate the benefits of purchasingassured food to teachers, supervisors andchildren.

Red Tractorschemes