Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance

Impact on consumer (1)

ensure the meat which carries the quality assured label has been produced to the standards for animal welfare and food safety and hygiene. customers can trust the food they have bought has been handheld safely & that the animals were well cared for

(2)

They offer full traceability from farm to fork, allowing customers to track where their food has come from, which offers them greater transparency

(3)

Their products are supplied all over Northern Ireland and contain the farm quality assured logo making it easy to find

(4)

The farms undergo regular inspections & audits to ensure they are consistently meeting the standards. This ensures customers that the label is not just a logo and proof standards are being followed

impact on producer (1)

They provide the producers with clear guidelines for farm management, including animal welfare, hygiene, medicine records and environmental practices

(2)

carry out regular audits making sure that farmers are maintaining the highest standards and if they are not, they will be given areas of improvement

(3)

scheme can increase their market access, as many retailers prefer to stock farm quality assured products - provides farmers with more selling opportunities, while strengthening consumers trust in their products

impact on environment (1)

requires farmers to manage manure and waste properly, which helps to reduce water pollution and protect local rivers and soil

(2)

promotes responsible use of fertilisers and veterinary medics to prevent environmental contamination

(3)

Farmers are encouraged to maintain good grassland and soil management, which helps to protect biodiversity and soil health

(4)

By supporting locally produced beef and lamb it helps to reduce food miles, compared to importing meat which contributes to global warming