AIC Assurance Schemes – updated response to Coronavirus
19 March 2020
AIC has been monitoring the development of the coronavirus pandemic, and the evolving advice from the UK government on minimising spread and containment.
Today, it has been agreed that, in the light of the current situation, all onsite scheme audits* will be suspended until the end of April. Audits that are booked for 19th and/ or 20th March can go ahead with agreement of the participant, certification body and auditor.
The duration of the suspension will be regularly reviewed, and participants will be kept informed of any updates.
One of the actions that AIC will be undertaking in conjunction with the scheme certification bodies during the suspension period is to develop a system of remote auditing, in order to ensure that participants can continue to demonstrate compliance with the scheme requirements.
As this system is developed, participants will be informed and dates for these remote audits will be agreed. It is envisaged that an element of onsite auditing will still be required in the future as and when this becomes feasible.
Feed and food safety, fertiliser security and seed dressing safety remain of the utmost importance for the agri-food supply chain. In this period, we do not foresee any relaxation of standards in this area. Our aim is to help support the agri-supply industry during this pandemic and hope the above actions will go some way towards doing so.
Participants are asked to keep relevant certification bodies informed of any specific issues they are facing in terms of hosting a remote audit (particularly due to staff absence).
*Scheme Audits
UFAS – Universal Feed Assurance Scheme
FEMAS – Feed Materials Assurance Scheme
TASCC – Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops
FIAS – Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme
ESTA – European Seed Treatment Assurance
RED – Renewable Energy Directive
ENDS
About AIC
AIC is the UK trade association representing the agricultural supply chain sectors of Arable Marketing, Crop Protection and Agronomy, Feed, Fertiliser and Seeds, since its inception in 2003. In all, AIC represents members responsible for some £9 billion of farm trade. A significant part of its work is political lobbying and influencing as well as supporting members with technical information.
AIC Services, which is the professional services arm of AIC manages a range of services, including Assurance Schemes recognised by UK government as essential tools to underpin feed & food safety alongside fertiliser security. Currently these include:
| TASCC |
Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops |
| FEMAS |
Feed Materials Assurance Scheme |
| UFAS |
Universal Feed Assurance Scheme |
| ESTA |
European Seed Treatment Assurance |
| FIAS |
Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme |
| FAR |
Feed Adviser Register |
| RED |
Renewable Energy Directive |
| FAA |
Forage Assurance Scheme |
| APOCS |
AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme |
Press Contact
Sarah Riley
Account Director
+44 7498 309114