The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) has confirmed that a formal review of the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Scheme (NIBL FQAS) standards is underway.

“The standards review process started last autumn,” commented LMC’s industry development manager, Colin Smith.

According to the LMC representative, the FQAS standards-setting committee will soon have completed its consultation process with its recommendations going forward to the scheme’s management board over the coming weeks.

LMC owns NIBL FQAS on behalf of cattle and sheep producers in Northern Ireland. The scheme’s management board comprises representatives from a wide range of stakeholder bodies that interface with the red meat sectors.

These include: Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU); Northern Ireland Meat Exporters' Association (NIMEA); College for Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE); National Beef Association (NBA); National Sheep Association (NSA); Northern Ireland Agriculture Producers' Association (NIAPA); and LMC itself.

Currently, the Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification (NIFCC) operates the independent certification system for the NIBL FQAS and is represented on the NIBL FQAS standard-setting committee.

Colin Smith does not foresee a strategic shift in scheme standards, however there will be a relatively small number of changes to existing standards being recommended for the consideration of the NIBL FQAS industry board.

“The scheme currently references a total of 84 standards. But within this, there are a very significant number of detailed matters that are addressed courtesy of a quality assurance inspection," he said.

NIBL FQAS standards are fully recognised by the Red Tractor scheme in England and the equivalent quality assurances measures established in Scotland and Wales.

“In effect, this is allowing beef and lamb produced from animals born, reared and processed in Northern Ireland unimpeded access to a market of over 70 million people in Great Britain.

“Reviewing NIBL FQAS standards on a regular basis will be a fundamental driver in making sure this happens.”