News Q&A: Farm quality assurance changes as SBLAS arrives
The Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme will be introduced in the coming weeks, and will replace the existing Beef And Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS, in which over 50,000 farmers participate) on a phased basis over the next 18 months.
The scheme helps in marketing Irish meat, by demonstrating the commitment of Irish beef and lamb farms to “green” farming practices.
Farmers have welcomed the new version of the scheme, but said beef and lamb prices will reflect how successful it is for them.
IFA livestock chairman Angus Woods said there will be no charge to farmers for audits.
Sheep chairman John Lynskey said the 10c/kg price top up for quality assurance lamb needs to be increased to get more sheep farmers to join the scheme.
ICMSA livestock committee chairman Michael Guinan said the scheme must recognise practical realities and allow farmers to
resolve issues within a reasonable timeframe.
How do I become a member of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef And Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS)?
Applications to join the SBLAS can be made over the phone by contacting the Bord Bia service office on 062-54900.
If you are already a member of Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance Scheme, you are already a member of the SBLAS.
Do I have to pay for a Bord Bia audit?
No, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine funds the running of the programme.
How long will my audit take?
On average, a Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS) audit takes about 90 minutes.
With the introduction of the SBLAS, it is envisaged that the audit length will remain the same. The audit length can be influenced by how well a farm is prepared for the audit.
What are the main differences between the old BLQAS and the new SBLAS?
There are a number of differences between the schemes, most of which have been introduced in response to new legislation, customer requirements and an effort to make the scheme more farmer friendly.
These include the following:
* A new section on pesticides included as a result of the introduction of the sustainable use directive.
* The inclusion of sustainability criteria in the standard. These criteria form part of a sustainability survey and do not impact on the score a farmer can achieve at audit.
* The introduction of a close-out model for the SBLAS. This means that where issues are identified during an audit, the farmer will have an opportunity correct these in the month following the audit and receive or retain certification.
Close-out period
Is my farm still certified if I have issues to address in the one-month period after the audit?
Yes, if you were certified when the audit was conducted on your farm, then that certification will remain in place throughout the one-month close-out period.
How do I return evidence that I have addressed the issues identified in my audit to Bord Bia?
There are a number of ways that farmers can do this.
Farmers can log on to farm.bordbia.ie using their herd number and a unique PIN number issued when they receive notification of the audit, and can upload the evidence directly to the Bord Bia quality assurance database.
Farmers can email evidence to the Bord Bia Helpdesk, who can upload it to the Bord Bia database on the farmer’s
behalf.
Farmers can text photos to the Bord Bia Helpdesk, who will upload these to the Bord Bia database on the farmer’s behalf.
Farmers can post copies of close-out evidence to the Bord Bia helpdesk, who will upload these to the Bord Bia database on the farmer’s behalf.
What happens if I fail to close-out the issues raised at audit during the one-month period allowed.
Where the close-out deadline is not met, the farm is automatically not eligible for certification.
Any existing certification will be withdrawn, and re-certification can only be achieved by applying to Bord Bia for a new audit after a six-month period.
New helpdesk
Is there any additional help available to farmers when preparing for a Bord Bia audit?
With the launch of the SBLAS, Bord Bia will for the first time formally introduce a Helpdesk facility. This Bord Bia Helpdesk will be there to answer any farmer queries in relation to any aspect of the audit or the audit process.
Will the Bord Bia helpdesk assist farmers during the close-out process?
Yes, one of the key functions of the helpdesk will to be maintain contact with farmers that have issues to address after their audit. The Helpdesk will provide advice and guidance to farmers that require assistance.
* Next week: the audit, and quality payments.
