Bord Bia has committed to provide farmers who fail their Quality Assurance audit an early re-audit, according to IFA President Joe Healy.
At a meeting with Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter this week, Healy said the beef and lamb Quality Assurance scheme is essential, but it must be made more practical and farmer friendly.
In particular, he said, livestock farmers need a close out period introduced to allow them to remain in the scheme and trade, while addressing compliance issues.
The scheme is currently under review with Bord Bia engaging in negotiations with farming organisations over the future of the scheme.
“IFA is very committed to a strong and worthwhile Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme but the problems around audits and inspections with the current scheme must be rectified,” Healy said.
New IFA President Joe Healy
“It is totally unacceptable to IFA that farmers could be expelled from the scheme for six months. Bord Bia has now given a clear commitment to IFA that farmers who are found to be non-compliant in the current scheme will be accommodated with an early re-audit, particularly those with cattle to sell.”
Joe Healy said the new QA scheme must include a close out system, whereby farmers can correct issues and continue to trade in the intervening period.
“Problems with audits are damaging the relationship between Bord Bia and farmers, and these must be rectified without delay. IFA has always been very supportive of Quality Assurance and we want Bord Bia to resolve these issues and increase the number of farmers participating in the schemes.”
Bord Bia says its Quality Assurance Scheme is a programme that demonstrates how Irish farmers are producing meat to the highest international standard.
Ireland exports 90% of its food, worth almost €11billion a year. Without the scheme we could not gain and maintain access to premium markets. It is also the reason why on the home market 93% of Irish consumers recognise and trust the Bord Bia quality mark.