A member checker service has been launched to allow UK produce buyers to get instant online access to information on suppliers' Assured Produce Scheme (APS) membership.

Developed with the Rural Business Network, the member checker is a secure internet-based method for buyers sourcing produce from 'assured' farms.

Information on the site will be updated daily, and can be found at: www.assuredproduce.co.uk.

Chris Payne, chairman of APS, said: 'Now producers can be assessed for the Assured Produce Scheme standards through more than one certification body, we wanted to make sure buyers had a single source of information irrespective of the certification route chosen by the producer.

'And we wanted to make sure the information was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's particularly important in the hectic harvest and post-harvest period. The service will certainly help to facilitate traceability, particularly for those buyers who are licensed to use the red tractor logo.' To register and use the service is simple, with a password and username. Once you have these you will need to enter a grower reference number, enterprise or name and will receive authentication immediately.

Buyers can also check the status of all of their grower suppliers in one go through the site.

For more information, or to obtain access to the member checker, contact Kate Smith on: 01892 676 263.