Membership of SAI Global/FABBL allows producers to prove that the standards of husbandry and welfare on farm meet nationally agreed levels of best practice, and gives an assurance to the consumer that the product is safe.
SAI Global/FABBL is licenced to use the ABM Beef and Lamb Farm Standards (www.abm.org.uk).
The Beef and Lamb Standards currently cover:
- Identification and traceability
- Farm animal management
- Environment and hygiene management
- Feed composition, storage and use
- Housing and handling facilities
- Medicines and veterinary treatments
- Transport of livestock
- Expansion of home-mixing standards for feed
- Herd/flock health plans
- Waste management plans.
Benefits
SAI Global/FABBL membership enables producers to assure customers, retailers and consumers of the standard to which livestock is produced. It will help producers secure a market for the future as the Standards are designed to meet retailer requirements and are in accordance with all current codes of practice and legal requirements. Abattoirs and auction markets are increasingly requesting Farm Assured Beef and Lamb.
History of FABBL
The FABBL Farm Assurance Scheme was set up in 1992 to provide a farm assurance scheme, to give retailers and consumers confidence in British livestock production standards.
Accepted by Buyers
SAI Global/FABBL is accepted by all major retailers and buyers as a credible and recognised Farm Assurance Scheme.
Fees
The membership fees cover the cost of inspections, both routine and spot checks, the cost of administration and membership paperwork including newsletters and other membership products.
Who does the inspections?
SAI Global/FABBL has a 70 strong team of inspectors, many of whom are already known to many in the livestock and cereals sector. They have built up a reputation for providing an efficient, professional service showing that they understand the needs of a busy farmer. The inspectors have the relevant proven background knowledge and are fully trained and supervised to ensure they carry out the inspection correctly.
Who does the certification?
SAI Global/FABBL certify all producers. This means upon receipt of an inspection report they are responsible for deciding whether a producer has achieved the relevant standard and a certificate can be issued. SAI Global/FABBL employ fully trained and qualified certification managers and they follow guidelines to ensure consistent decisions. SAI Global/FABBL are accredited by UKAS (accreditation number EN45011), this demonstrates that we work to a high level of operational competency in all aspects of delivery of certification.
SAI Global/FABBL is a 'Qualifying' scheme for the Red Tractor logo which means that products from the scheme will be clearly identified to consumers as they carry the distinctive Red Tractor.
To qualify for the use of the Red Tractor logo, the product must have been assured through the whole chain (farm, market, if applicable, transport and abattoir)
Identification to Consumers
For more information about the Red Tractor logo visit the website by clicking here
Verification
It is vital that all buyers (e.g. abattoirs, auction markets, etc) are able to easily confirm that a producer is a SAI Global/FABBL member. Assured producers are issued with a sheet of livestock membership stickers which producers should use on paperwork (including cattle passports) accompanying every consignment of beef/lamb that are sold.
Downloads:
Useful publications:
Defra - Protecting our Water, Soil and Air (2009)
A Code of Good Agricultural Practice for farmers, growers and land managers:
http://www.Defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/cogap/documents/cogap090202.pdf
Code of Recommendation for the Welfare of Livestock: Cattle (where relevant):
http://www.Defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/onfarm/documents/cattcode.pdf
Code of Recommendation for the Welfare of Livestock: Sheep (where relevant):
http://www.Defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/onfarm/documents/sheep.pdf
NaTCSO Leaflet: ‘Security of fertiliser storage on farms’:
http://www.nactso.gov.uk/documents/fertliser%20leaflet.pdf
Assured Food Standards Industry Code of Practice for On-farm Feeding:
http://www.redtractor.org.uk/site/REDT/Templates/GeneralStandards.aspx?pageid=40
Below are links to some relevant sites:
Assured British Meat (ABM)
National Farmers Union
DEFRA
National Beef Association
National Sheep Association
Livestock Auctioneers Association
Assured Food Standards (Red Tractor)
NOAH
DEFRA - Environmental (Go here for Air/Soil/Water Publications)
