A new initiative is being touted as a possible solution to the problem of duplication within audit schemes.
The new Food Standards Agency (FSA) developed scheme would mean a lower frequency of food hygiene inspections for those already involved in a recognised assurance scheme, such as Assured Produce.
FSA predicts that savings each year could be in the region of £571,000 for farmers and as much as £2 million for local authorities across the country.
The changes have been introduced to target farms considered to have a higher food safety risk, namely those that are not members of established assurance schemes.
Sarah Pettitt, vice chairman of the NFU Board for Horticulture, welcomed the move, predicting that as few as 2 percent of Assured Produce growers could be targeted under the scheme, compared to around 25 percent of non-AP farms.
“It is now formally being recognised that Assured Produce has a very significant place in the market place,” she told Commercial Grower.
Meanwhile the FSA’s head of Better Regulation and Consultation Branch, Philip Clarke, said: “The Agency is firmly committed to reducing regulatory burdens on food businesses, whilst still maintaining the highest levels of consumer protection.
“The initiative will help focus inspections and make regulations simpler - this will benefit farmers, local authorities and consumers - as we believe making compliance with the law simpler will increase levels of compliance.”
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