I have read and understood the Product Standard and its Appendices. Producer s Name (Block Capitals) Producer s Signature. Date

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2 I have read and understood the Product Standard and its Appendices Producer s Name (Block Capitals) Producer s Signature Date The Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS) [ the Scheme ] and its Product Standard are owned by the Northern Ireland Beef and Sheep Industries with ownership held on their behalf by LMC. The commercial management of the Scheme is the responsibility of the Scheme Industry Board hosted by LMC. The Scheme is an EN45011 accredited Product Certification Scheme as long as certification is provided by an EN45011 accredited Product Certification Body which holds scope for the Scheme. LMC, on the direction of the Industry Board, has granted an exclusive six-month rolling licence to Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification (NIFCC) to provide Certification Services against the NIBL FQAS Product Standard The Product Standard has been developed by the Technical Advisory Committee and approved by the Certification Committee of NIFCC. Copyright of the Product Standard is held by LMC. The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland 156

3 Contents INTRODUCTION PROCEDURES STANDARD S.K Key to Format S.1 Husbandry: Stockmanship and Welfare S.2 Animal Health S.3 Animal Nutrition S.4 Animal Traceability - Identification, Sourcing and Records S.5 Housing and Handling S.6 Transport S.7 Environmental Care APPENDICES A.1a A.1b A.2a A.2b A.2c A.2d A.3a A.3b A.3c A.3d A.3e A.3f A4 A.5a A.5b Experience/Training Record Form Examples of common veterinary operations Animal Health Plan Calender of Health Plan Events Broken Needle Protocol Protocol for the Storage and Disposal of Sharps and Pharmaceutical Waste Approved Silage Additives Feed Ingredients disallowed by the Scheme NFU Code of Practice for On-farm Mixers Producing Compound Feeds containing Additives Example Warranty Declaration for Purchased Straights/Crop By-products UFAS Feed Supply Flow Chart Register of NI/ROI Compounders and Merchants participating in UFAS No appendix for Section 4 of the Standard Recommended Space Allowances - Buildings Useful Information in case of Emergency A.6 Guidelines on Road Vehicles used for Transporting Farm Animals A.7 General Housekeeping Scores A.8 Publications A.9 Useful Contacts A.10 Abbreviations A.11 Farm Inspection Checklist 3

4 Introduction N.1 The Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS) is accredited to the European Standard EN45011 for product certification activities. This Manual provides information on the Product Standard with which a participant must conform in order to gain certification as an Approved Producer. N.2 NIBL FQAS is a scheme concerned with giving assurances to customers (abattoirs, wholesalers, retailers and consumers) about the production standards of quality assured farms on which Northern Ireland beef and lamb is produced, and thereby assurances regarding the safety, wholesomeness and integrity of the product. The Scheme has been designed to provide assurances that Northern Ireland farm quality assured beef and lamb is produced in accordance with a specified Product Standard which goes beyond the relevant legislation and demands best commercial practice. N.3 NIBL FQAS is a voluntary scheme and participation is open to all beef and lamb producers in Northern Ireland. A limited number of applications from farms in the Republic of Ireland will also be considered in special circumstances. N.4 Certification will only be granted to Approved Producers who conform to the Product Standard and follow the Scheme Rules. Participation is conditional on an initial inspection together with routine surveillance and spot checks to ensure continual conformance with the standard. N.5 Participation must be renewed annually. In the event of any changes to the Product Standard or Scheme Rules, participants must conform to the new requirements from the effective date of introduction of the changes. Participants will be given advanced notice of any changes. N.6 The registration, inspection and certification of participants in NIBL FQAS is administered under licence by Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification (NIFCC), an EN45011 accredited certification body. N.7 Before making an application to NIFCC, potential participants should study in full this Product Standard and the companion manual detailing the Scheme Rules, to satisfy themselves that they can meet the requirements. A summary of the procedures is given below. Procedures for Participants - Summary P.1 Before making your application to NIFCC to join the NIBL FQAS, you should study the Product Standard and Scheme Rules which detail the codes of practice and operating procedures which must be followed.you should sign inside the front cover of both the standard and the Rules booklets to indicate you have read and understood them. P.2 You should complete the application form and return it with your cheque to the address shown on the form. P.3 Your application will begin immediate processing with a number of pre-entry checks. If your application passes these, a NIFCC inspector will contact you to arrange the initial farm inspection. This will normally be carried out within 28 days of receipt of your application. P.4 The farm inspector will submit a farm inspection report to the NIFCC office, where it will be reviewed by a Certification Officer. If successful, you will receive your Certificate of Conformity and Technical Manual ring binder, which should be used to 4

5 file all the scheme documentation. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will be notified to add the Farm Quality Assured Status Indicators FQ Attained to your herd and FQ to all your eligible cattle, on the Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS). Certification always remains subject to conformation by the NIFCC Certification Committee. P.5 If unsuccessful, we will inform you of the corrective measures that you must undertake before we can reconsider your application. P.6 You must renew your participation in the Scheme every year. We will send you a renewal notice approximately one month before your certification period expires. P.7 You should complete the renewal form and return it with the renewal fee to the address shown on the form. P.8 We will send you a renewal pack with a new certificate once we receive your renewal payment. P.9 We have to make sure that you continue to conform to the Scheme s Product Standard. We will therefore conduct routine surveillance inspections at intervals no greater than 18 months. In addition you may be chosen for a random spot check inspection. In the case of routine surveillance inspections, an inspector will contact you to arrange an appointment. Random spot checks, however, may be unannounced. P.10 If at these inspections we find that you no longer conform to the Product Standard, certification may be suspended or revoked depending on the seriousness of the issues reported. We will inform you of the corrective measures which will have to be undertaken. You must not continue to claim that you are Farm Quality Assured during suspension or after revocation. DARD will also be notified to change the FQ indicator on your herd and to remove FQ from all the cattle in your herd on APHIS. FULL DETAILS OF THE NIBL FQAS PRODUCT STANDARD AND THE SCHEME RULES ARE CONTAINED IN THE STANDARD AND RULES MANUALS. THIS IS THE PRODUCT STANDARD MANUAL. The Product Standard S.K Key to Layout: The code of practice is paragraph numbered and is printed in bold. The rationale and reasons for the code are printed in italics, followed by additional information. The objective evidence of conformance with the code that will be sought by the Farm Inspector is printed in the shaded paragraph. A tick box is provided next to each code to help participants to do their own self assessment of conformance with the Product Standard. New codes i.e. those with a new requirement, and revisions of existing codes where the revision is likely to have an impact, are printed in green and indicated in the margin. Minor changes to wording to improve explanations and layout, but which do not alter the intent of the code, are not highlighted. REVISED 2003 The Appendices are numbered to correspond with the numbering of the Sections of the Standard. 5

6 S.1 HUSBANDRY: STOCKMANSHIP AND WELFARE 1.1 Animals must be reared and managed in accordance with the Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Cattle and/or Sheep and current legislation. Stockmanship is a key factor in animal welfare because, no matter how otherwise acceptable a system may be in principle, without competent diligent stockmanship, the welfare of animals cannot be adequately catered for. It is for this reason that the Welfare Codes are an integral part of this Product Standard. Signs of ill-health include loss of appetite, listlessness, cessation of cudding, discharge from the nostrils or eyes, excessive salivation, persistent coughing, swollen joints, lameness, scouring, rapid loss of body condition and frequent scratching/rubbing. Stockmen must have signed and dated the relevant Code(s) relating to the animals under their care to indicate that they have read and understood them. The farm inspector will ask to see your signed Welfare Codes. 1.2 The five basic needs of an animal (i.e. the five freedoms) must be provided. The five freedoms are: freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition freedom from discomfort and lack of shelter freedom from injury, disease and infestation freedom from fear freedom to display most normal patterns of behaviour Signs of good health include general alertness, free movement, active feeding and rumination and absence of lameness, visible wounds, abscesses or injuries. The inspector will check enough livestock on each individual holding to satisfy himself/herself that they are healthy and thriving. 1.3 The person(s) with primary responsibility for the daily running of the farm must be competent in stockmanship based on experience or a combination of formal training and experience. Details of experience and/or records of formal training must be maintained. An example Experience and Training Form is given in Appendix A.1a. The inspector will ask to see your Experience/Training Record. 1.4 Stockmen must have experience and/or training in animal husbandry, welfare and disease control practices. Details of experience and/or records of formal training must be maintained. An example Experience and Training Form is given in Appendix A.1a. The inspector will ask to see your Experience/Training Record. 6

7 1.5 Stockmen must be experienced and/or trained, and where appropriate certified, in common veterinary operations which are permitted to be undertaken by laymen. Details of experience and/or records of formal training must be maintained. An example Experience and Training Form is given in Appendix A.1a. The Inspector will ask to see your Experience/Training Record. 1.6 Common veterinary operations must be performed in such a way that suffering is minimised. Examples of common veterinary operations including the conditions under which they can be performed, who may perform them and whether an anaesthetic must be used are given in Appendix A.1b. The inspector will ask you who performs these common veterinary operations and the procedures used. If an anaesthetic is required the inspector will look for evidence of purchase and use of anaesthetic in the veterinary medicine record. 1.7 At all times, cattle and sheep must be treated and handled in such a way as to avoid injury and minimise pain and stress. The use of electric goads is not permitted. Sticks and crooks must only be used for guiding animals, and with discretion when so used. The inspector will ask you about your procedures for moving livestock to ensure that it is carried out with due consideration for animal welfare. 1.8 Animals must be grouped according to size and age. Social groupings should be retained where possible. The inspector will ask to see a representative number of stock to ensure that they are managed in social groups of similar type. 1.9 After weaning, bulls must not be mixed with females unless breeding is planned. The inspector will check that mature bulls and females are grouped separately except when breeding is planned When cattle are loose housed, fractious or horned cattle must not be mixed with other cattle where there is a danger of injury or bullying to other cattle. Where disbudding or de-horning is practised, it must be undertaken in accordance with the law. REVISED

8 Horns on cattle are a potential welfare problem, create a health and safety risk for operatives in the early part of the supply chain, cause an economic loss from hide and carcase damage, and can contribute to inferior beef eating quality. For these reasons producers are encouraged to disbud or dehorn all cattle at a time in the year appropriate to their own farm circumstances, following code 1.6 and the conditions detailed in Appendix A.1b when they do so. If there are housed cattle at the time of the inspection, the inspector will check that there is no evidence of injury or bullying. The inspector will check the animal health plan disbudding and dehorning procedure and the veterinary medicine record for the purchase and use of anaesthetic (if applicable) Farm dogs and cats must be kept under control at all times and regularly treated in accordance with veterinary advice. Regular vaccination/worming of farm dogs and cats will reduce the risk of spread of disease (e.g. toxoplasmosis in sheep). Farm dogs need not be chained or otherwise contained, but must be controlled so they do not cause injury or distress to livestock The inspector will look for evidence of veterinary treatment of farm dogs and/or cats in the veterinary medicine record. S.2 ANIMAL HEALTH 2.1 Regular checks must be carried out by farmers/stockmen, in accordance with the relevant Welfare Codes, to ensure that all animals are maintained in good health. Only healthy, naturally produced animals will be eligible for NIBL FQAS certification. However, the use of non-surgical Artificial Insemination (AI) and Embryo Transfer (ET) is permitted in all herds/flocks and surgical AI and ET in pedigree herds/flocks. The frequency at which different categories of livestock should be inspected are given in the Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock (e.g. housed calves twice daily, other cattle once daily, hill sheep on average twice per week). The inspector will ask you how often you or your stockmen inspect different categories of livestock (e.g. calves, housed cattle, hill sheep). 2.2 The herd or flock must be under the routine care of a named veterinary practice or surgeon. This must involve an annual farm visit as a minimum. The inspector will ask you for the name and location of your veterinary surgeon/practice and will also ask to see written evidence (e.g. invoice, appointment card for DARD test, signature on a health plan) of a farm visit by a veterinary surgeon in the last year. 8

9 2.3 The person(s) involved in the administration of animal medication must be competent based on experience and/or training. Records of experience and any formal training must be maintained. An example Experience and Training Form is given in Appendix A.1a. Stockmen must be familiar with and have access to the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Animal Medicines on Farms which is incorporated in the NOAH Animal Medicine Record Book. The inspector will check to see if the person(s) involved in the administration of animal medication has signed and dated the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Animal Medicines on Farms to indicate that it has been read and understood. The Inspector will also ask to see your Experience/Training Record. 2.4 A written disease prevention and health control programme must be established. This programme must be reviewed at least annually or more frequently in the event of any substantial changes to husbandry practices. The purpose of a written animal health plan is to demonstrate commitment to planned animal health and preventative medicine regimes, and to ensure that any routine preventative treatments are given at the correct time and to the appropriate animals as required. The animal health plan (see example in Appendix A.2a and 2b) should chart what the producer proposes to administer, or do, throughout the annual production cycle to ensure the optimum health of stock. It should include as a minimum: farm biosecurity policy, vaccination programme and timing, control of external and internal parasites, foot care, and routine veterinary operations. Producers should monitor and review the health plan in the light of any advice given by a vet during a farm visit, and in conjunction with meat inspection results which are available from DARD (APHIS). Training on the production of Animal Health Plans and their use is available from DARD under the Beef Quality Inititiative (BQI) and producers are encouraged to participate in this training. Producers are also encouraged to seek veterinary advice in preparing the health plan, at an arrangement between themselves and their vet. The plan forms drawn up jointly by the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) are an acceptable alternative to the example form in Appendix A.2a. The farm inspector will ask to see your animal health plan and will check that it has been reviewed within the last year. A check will also be made to see if the plan has been implemented by cross referencing the planned treatments to the animal medicine records. 2.5 Animals suffering ill health or injury must receive immediate attention including the attendance of a veterinary surgeon if necessary. Isolation facilities must be provided when necessary for the segregation and care of sick or injured animals. The inspector will ask you about your procedures for dealing with sick or injured animals to ensure that they are in accordance with the Welfare Codes. 9

10 2.6 Special care and consideration must be given to casualty animals and every effort must be made to prevent them from suffering including, where necessary, on-farm humane slaughter. Treatment and transport of casualty animals must be in accordance with the relevant legislation using the DARD Guidance on the Transport of Casualty Farm Animals. The inspector will ask you about your procedures for dealing with casualty animals to ensure that they are in accordance with current legislation. 2.7 Medicines for treatment must only be used when prescribed by a veterinary surgeon or for preventative purposes (e.g. worming). The preventative use of veterinary medicines must only be used in conjunction with good husbandry practices. Pasture management should form an integral part of disease control, especially in the case of internal parasites and foot-rot where total reliance on drugs is undesirable. The inspector will assess the purchase and use of veterinary medicines in relation to stock numbers. Where there is indication of excessive use, a veterinary report may be requested. 2.8 Medicine and veterinary treatments must be stored in accordance with current legislation and the manufacturer s instructions and used before the expiry date. Secure and lockable storage for veterinary medicines must be available. The inspector will check the medicine store and check to see that only medicines within their expiry date are available for use. REVISED Veterinary medicines must have a UK product licence. Unapproved medicines or unlicensed substances, which would require a licence, must not be used. Prescription only medicines (POM) must either be obtained from a veterinary surgeon or with a prescription, a copy of which must be retained for a period of five years from the date of commencement of the withdrawal period to which it relates. Veterinary medicines and other treatments must only be purchased from veterinary surgeons and other approved distributors. The inspector will check the veterinary medicine record and retained prescriptions to ensure that only licensed and/or approved veterinary treatments are used and sourced legally. 10

11 2.10 Anabolic agents, including hormones, must not be used for growth promotion under any circumstances. The use of hormonal growth promoters is illegal. The Scheme Rules require that applicants/approved producers have not had a conviction for the use of an illegal substance or a positive residue test in any animal or feedstuff within the previous three years (see Rules 35 and 36 for further details). Inspectors will take random meal and/or urine samples on-farm for further testing. Residue testing and/or monitoring will also involve liaison with DARD Meat Inspection Service The farm must operate a procedure for action to be taken when needle breakage occurs. Stockmen must be familiar with the procedure for action to be taken when needle breakage occurs (see Appendix A.2c). Stockmen must sign and date the needle breakage procedure to indicate that they have read and understood it The farm must have a policy for the disposal of used needles and sharp objects and the disposal of waste medicines or medicines past their use by date. Stockmen must be familiar with the procedure for the collection and disposal of needles, syringes and waste medicines (see Appendix A.2d). A sharps box made from a plastic or tin box must be available for the disposal of clinical waste The prescribed withdrawal periods for all veterinary medicines must be strictly observed. If an animal presented for slaughter exceeds the Maximum Residue Limit for a licensed or unlicensed substance, the same procedure as in 2.10 will be adopted (see Rule 36 for further details). The inspector will check the veterinary medicine record and herd/flock record books to ensure that withdrawal periods have been recorded and observed Complete records must be kept of the purchase and use of all veterinary medicines. All treatments including vaccinations, worming and dipping must be recorded for all animals/group of animals. This is a legal requirement. 11

12 The veterinary medicine record must include: records of veterinary medicines purchased details of supplier name of veterinary medicine batch number and expiry date date administered identity of animal/group treated number treated total quantity of medicine used date treatment finished date withdrawal period ended name of person who administered medicine The veterinary medicine records must be kept in the format given in the NOAH Animal Medicine Record Book. These records should be kept in a permanent and legible form, either in the prescribed paper format or on a personal computer, in which case the layout must be the same as the paper format and have a suitable back-up system in place. The records must be retained for a minimum of three years from the end of the calendar year to which the record relates. The Animal Medicine Records must be available for inspection and the inspector will check that they are complete and up-to-date All cattle and/or sheep must undergo routine disease testing/monitoring as agreed in conjunction with DARD. This is a legal requirement. Evidence from DARD will be taken into account when determining the Farm Quality Assured status of animals under movement restriction for disease purposes. S.3 ANIMAL NUTRITION 3.1 Animals must receive a daily diet which is adequate to sustain full health, maintenance and/or production demands. Animals should be naturally grazed for the summer months of the year. However, other production systems (e.g. barley beef) are also permissible. The inspector will check the availability of feed supplies and ask to see a representative number of stock to ensure that they are thriving and in good health. 3.2 All animals must have access to fresh, clean water at all times. The inspector will check water troughs and bowls to ensure that they are well maintained, free from contamination and have a sufficient flow rate. 12

13 3.3 When grass supplies are low, or when animals are housed for comfort in winter, they must be fed conserved forage and/or cereal straw supplemented appropriately to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. Alternative forage crops such as green leaf forage crops and forage root crops and supplementary feeds such as molasses and other vegetable feeds are acceptable as part of a balanced diet. If a silage additive is used, it must be from one of the approved categories given in Appendix A.3a. If stock are housed for winter, the inspector will check the availability of feed supplies and a representative number of stock to ensure that they are thriving and in good health. 3.4 When animals are kept on forage crops (green leaf forage crops and forage root crops), they must have access to a suitable run-back area or straw. A run-back area or straw will limit the build-up of mud or dung on the hide and fleece. This is also an animal welfare and hygiene requirement. If animals are kept on forage crops the inspector will check that a suitable run-back area or straw has been provided. 3.5 Vegetable proteins are the only protein sources permitted, no animal based protein is allowed. Artificial non-protein nitrogen is also disallowed except when used as a preservative. The inspector will check declarations of ingredient composition to ensure that feedstuffs do not include animal based protein or artificial non-protein nitrogen. 3.6 All dietary fats/oils must be obtained from vegetable or fish sources. The inspector will check declarations of ingredient composition to ensure that feedstuffs do not include dietary fats/oils of animal (excluding fish) origin. 3.7 No land-based animal, mammalian or poultry by-products are to be used. The only exception to this is milk and milk derivatives. Disallowed products include: blood products tallow feather meals cuticles skin derivatives 13

14 The inspector will check declarations of ingredient composition to ensure that feedstuffs do not include these by-products. 3.8 Feedstuffs must not be given to non-target species. For example, beef finishing rations which have a high copper content can be harmful to sheep. The inspector will check bag labels to ensure that feedstuffs are only given to target species. 3.9 Unapproved feed additives or unlicensed substances, which would require a license, must not be used. The use of any approved licensed feed additive/medicine must be in accordance with the relevant UK and EU legislation. For a list of feed ingredients disallowed by the Scheme see Appendix A.3b. The inspector will check declarations of ingredient composition to ensure that feedstuffs do not include disallowed ingredients Home-mixers of feedstuffs, whether for exclusive use on the producer s holding or for sale, must be registered with and/or approved by DARD s Quality Assurance Division in accordance with the Feeding Stuffs (Establishments & Intermediaries) Regulations This is a legal requirement. Feed mixed on farm must be safe, wholesome, and of high quality. All feed must be produced from hygienic, high quality raw materials free from contamination. Information on registration/approval for on-farm mixing can be obtained from DARD. If you mix feedstuffs on-farm, the inspector will ask you to provide conformation that you are registered/approved with DARD. REVISED By a target date of 1 April 2003, home-mixing of feedstuffs, whether for exclusive use on the producer s holding or for sale, must be conducted in accordance with the NFU Code of Practice for On-farm Mixers Producing Compound Feed Containing Additives or a Code of Practice which has an agreed equivalent standard. For further information on the NFU Code of Practice for On-farm Mixers Producing Compound Feeds Containing Additives see Appendix A.3c. The legal requirements for home mixers of animal feed are laid down in European Council Directive 95/69/EC, and the NFU Code of Practice is intended as a guide to help farmers meet the requirements of the Directive and represents a practical interpretation of the legislation. If you mix feedstuffs on-farm, the inspector will check that you comply with the Code. 14

15 3.12 By a target date of 1 April 2003, home grown and farm purchased feed grain must be certified under the Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured Cereals Scheme or a Scheme which has an agreed equivalent standard. REVISED 2003 The target date is dependent on progress towards accreditation of the cereals scheme, which will determine the quantity of certified grain that becomes available from the 2003 harvest. The target date will be kept under review and appropriate announcements made to participants. The inspector will check that feed grain is stored in a manner aimed at preventing contamination by the weather, cats, rodents, birds and other pests By a target date of 1 April 2003, purchased animal feed materials (e.g. ingrediens straights and additive premixes) must be obtained from sources that have approved or applied status, and from a target date of 1 October 2003 approved status, on the Register of Merchants of the UKASTA Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS Merchants) or a Scheme which has an agreed equivalent standard. REVISED 2003 Purchased crop product and by-product feed materials (e.g. cereal grain, silage, potatoes, carrots, turnips etc.) sourced from non-ufas suppliers must be covered by warranty declarations stating that precautions have been taken to keep the product free from contamination and fit for purpose. An example warranty declaration is provided in Appendix A.3d. An explanatory feed supply flow chart and the Register of Merchants in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is given in Appendix A.3f. Updates are available on the UKASTA website. Most recent food safety scares have been animal feed related. It is absolutely essential that animal feed is sourced from suppliers who participate in a feed assurance scheme. The inspector will check your feed records (see 3.17) for details of your suppliers of animal feed materials and crop products and by-products, and will ask to see any warranty declarations for purchased crop products and by-products When compound feed is purchased, it must be from a manufacturer operating in accordance with the relevant EU legislation. The inspector will check your feed records (see 3.17) for details of the manufacturer and product name for each purchased compound feed used By a target date of 1 April 2003, purchased compound feed must be manufactured by companies that have approved status on the Register of Compound Feed Manufacturers, and supplied by them or through merchants that have approved or applied status on the Register of Merchants (from a target date of 1 October 2003 approved status only), of the UKASTA Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS Compounders Scheme and UFAS Merchants Scheme) or a Scheme which has an agreed equivalent standard. REVISED

16 An explanatory feed supply flow chart and the Registers of Compound Feed Manufacturers and Merchants in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is given in Appendices A.3e and 3f. Updates are available on the UKASTA website Most recent major food safety scares have been animal feed related. It is absolutely essential that animal feed is sourced from suppliers who participate in a feed assurance scheme. The inspector will check your feed records (see 3.17) for details of the manufacturer and product name for each purchased compound feed used Participants must obtain from their supplier a declaration of constituent ingredients ( vitamin/mineral premix is one ingredient), in descending order of inclusion, for each compound diet and supplement fed to their stock. Bag labels or invoices which declare feed ingredients are acceptable. In certain cases of speciality diets (e.g. research diets) a declaration by category in descending order of inclusion is adequate. The inspector will check that these records are maintained Records of purchased and home-grown feedstuffs and formulations of home-mixed rations must be kept. These records must include: date of purchase name of feedstuff manufacturer supplier batch/invoice number quantity purchased identity of animal/group to which it was fed A Feed Record Book is available from the Scheme. Feed Records may be kept in the prescribed paper format or on a personal computer, in which case the layout must be the same as the paper format and have a suitable back-up system in place. These records must be kept for a period of three years and be available for inspection All feed must be stored and handled in accordance with best commercial practice to prevent contamination and access by pests. Storage must enable feed to be kept dry at all times where appropriate. All storage and handling equipment should be cleaned regularly. The inspector will check that feed is stored in a manner aimed at preventing contamination by the weather, cats, rodents, birds and other pests. 16

17 S.4 ANIMAL TRACEABILITY - IDENTIFICATION, SOURCING AND RECORDS 4.1 Cattle must be identified, births and deaths notified to DARD and Herd Record Books (registers) maintained, in accordance with the Movement of Animals (Records) Order (NI) 1980 as amended by EC Council Regulations No. 820/97 and No. 1760/00. Lambs must be identified, and movements recorded in the Flock Record Book, in accordance with the Identification and Movement of Sheep and Goats Order (NI) 1997 and the Animal (Records) Order (NI) 1997, as amended by the Animals (Records) (Amendment) Order (NI) Any new legislation must be implemented. These are legal requirements. Traceability of stock lies at the very heart of the NIBL FQAS. The underlying principle is that stock must be traceable to be eligible for FQ status and certification. If they are not traceable, then they are not eligible for NIBL FQAS. It is recommended that the sires of calves be recorded as an additional item in the Herd Record Book to enable complete genetic traceability. The inspector will check a representative number of stock to ensure that they are correctly identified. 4.2 On farm movement records as required by legislation must be kept, must be constantly updated, and must be available for inspection at any reasonable time and be reconcilable with the DARD Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS) and with the relevant animals on the ground. This is a legal requirement. Herd and/or Flock records may be kept in the prescribed paper format or on a personal computer, in which case the layout must be the same as the paper format and have a suitable back-up system in place. The inspector will check Herd and/or Flock records to ensure that they are fully completed and up to date. 4.3 Replacement breeding stock, store cattle, calves and store lambs should be obtained from other NIBL FQAS farms. If livestock are imported, they should be from farms which are registered under a recognised assurance scheme and have lifetime traceability records. Other recognised farm assurance schemes are Farm Assured British Beef and Lamb (FABBL), Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL), Specially Select Scotch Farm Assurance (SSSFA) and Genesis QA. The Assured Combinable Crops Scheme (ACCS) also certifies approved producers to the FABBL Standard. Every effort should be made to acquire breeding and finishing stock produced from genetically superior animals identified as such from a recognised performance recording/improvement scheme. It is recommended that the number of farm to farm movements in an animal s lifetime is kept to a minimum in line with normal production schedules. The producers involved are normally: BEEF: calf rearer, store cattle grower and beef finisher. LAMB: store lamb producer and prime lamb finisher. 17

18 The Farm Quality Assured status of cattle will be verified at point of sale/slaughter on the DARD APHIS system. Breeding ewes or store lambs must be accompanied by producer declarations which confirm Farm Quality Assured status. REVISED 2003 TARGET FOR Cattle and lambs must be resident on a quality assured farm or farms for a minimum continuous period of 90 and 60 days respectively, immediately prior to slaughter. Every prime beef animal and lamb slaughtered from a target date of 1 April 2006 must have been resident for its entire life on a quality assured farm to gain individual FQ status. The residency periods can be the cumulative total on more than one quality assured farm. Cattle and lambs sourced from farms registered under other equivalent schemes (e.g. FABBL, FAWL, SSSFA, GENESIS and ACCS) are recognised for this purpose. The target lifetime code is an individual animal status issue and is not a nonconformance issue for the whole farm. A quality assured farm may run both FQ and non-fq animals at the producer s own discretion. The reason for this move to lifetime assurance is to implement the expectation of consumers who believe that Farm Assured means that the animal has been on a quality assured farm for the whole of its life and not just for the last 90 days (10% of its possible life under 30 months). The Farm Quality Assured status of cattle will be verified at point of sale/slaughter on the DARD APHIS system. Finished lambs must be accompanied by producer declarations which confirm Farm Quality Assured status. The inspector will check on farm movement records to ensure that residency periods for lambs are adhered to. 4.5 Calves under seven days old, or with an unhealed navel, and orphan lambs with an unhealed navel, must not be sold at a market. Calves and lambs must also not be sold through a market more than once in any 28-day period up to 56 days of age. S.5 HOUSING AND HANDLING 5.1 Stock buildings must be constructed and maintained in accordance with the DARD Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock with regard to space requirements, feeding space, water requirements, lying areas, ventilation, animal comfort and floor surfaces. The inspector will check livestock housing to ensure that it is maintained in accordance with the Welfare Codes. 5.2 Materials used for the construction of housing and equipment with which animals may come into contact must be free of sharp objects or protrusions and be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Accommodation and fittings should be constructed and maintained so that they do not cause injury to livestock. 18

19 The inspector will check that livestock housing is free from sharp objects or protrusions likely to cause injury to livestock. 5.3 Space allowances and group size of housed livestock must be determined with regard to age, size and type (e.g. suckler cows, beef cattle, calves). For information on recommended space allowances see Appendix A.5a. The inspector will assess housed livestock to ensure that the recommended space allowances and group sizes are being adhered to. Where there is an indication of over-stocking, the inspector will measure pen dimensions to determine the space allowance. 5.4 A dry lying area must be available for all housed livestock. Floors should be adequately drained, otherwise suitable bedding material must be provided. The use of straw or other suitable bedding material is strongly recommended. The inspector will check housed livestock to ensure that they have access to a dry lying area. 5.5 All floors must be designed, constructed and maintained so as to avoid discomfort, stress or injury to stock. It is recommended that a solid floored creep area with bedding is provided for calves when cows with calves at foot are housed. The inspector will check floors to ensure that they are constructed and maintained to avoid discomfort, stress or injury. 5.6 Solid floored bedded pens must be available for use at calving/lambing time. The inspector will ask you about your procedures for indoor calving/lambing to ensure that they are in accordance with the Welfare Codes. 5.7 Effective ventilation of buildings to avoid high humidity, condensation and draughts must be provided. Effective ventilation will minimise the incidence of respiratory diseases. Properly designed ventilation will permit the free circulation of air above stock height and avoid draughts at stock level. The inspector will check that livestock housing is free from condensation, odour and excessive dust levels which are indicators of inadequate ventilation. 19

20 5.8 Buildings must be maintained in as clean a condition as is possible on a farm. The level of cleanliness in livestock buildings can have a significant impact on both disease and the cleanliness of housed stock. Cleaning down buildings should take place as soon as is practicable after de-stocking, and before re-stocking with the next batch of animals. In addition management of the bedding, stocking density, and attention to edges, corners and other muck traps during the time animals are housed is important in maintaining a suitably clean environment. The cleanliness of finished cattle and sheep is particularly important with respect to their acceptability for slaughter for human consumption. The Clean Livestock Policy (see Appendix A.8 Publications), launched by DARD and now adopted by the Food Standards Agency, should be followed. Guidelines on presenting livestock in a clean condition for slaughter are detailed in the DARD advisory booklet Keep them Clean (see Appendix A.8 Publications). Cattle and Sheep Cleanliness Scores at the abattoir should be used to monitor, and amend where necessary, practices in relation to building cleanliness. The inspector will check livestock housing to ensure that it is maintained in a clean condition. 5.9 Facilities must be provided on the farm to allow the handling and loading of animals with the minimum stress and risk of injury to livestock and staff. Animals should be handled in a quiet but firm, humane and compassionate way at all times. This will contribute to the avoidance of carcass damage (e.g. bruising). Meat processors are encouraged to liaise with NIFCC and producers regarding ongoing incidents of carcass damage. The inspector will check stock handling facilities and the cattle crush to ensure that they are well maintained All electrical installations must be protected and inaccessible to stock. It is recommended that electrical installations in new buildings are installed in accordance with current IEE regulations. The inspector will check electricity wires and fittings to ensure that they are inaccessible to livestock Paints, preservatives, disinfectants and other chemical compounds must not be stored in the feed stores or near to animals. It is recommended that paints, preservatives, disinfectants and other chemical compounds that may be toxic are kept in a locked store and are not used where stock may have access to them. The inspector will check livestock housing and feed stores to ensure that farm chemicals are not stored in them. 20

21 5.12 All stock buildings must have adequate lighting, whether fixed or portable, to ensure that stock can be thoroughly inspected at any time. The inspector will check livestock housing to ensure that adequate lighting is available Animal waste must be stored and handled in a manner to avoid the spread of disease and to prevent environmental pollution (see Code 7.2). It is recommended that slurry and farmyard manure is stored adequately to prevent direct contact with livestock. The inspector will check slurry/farmyard manure storage facilities to ensure that direct contact between livestock and farm waste is minimised The person(s) with primary responsibility for the daily running of the farm must make advance plans for dealing with emergencies such as fire, flood or disruption of supplies and should ensure that all staff are familiar with the appropriate emergency action. The provision of emergency contingency plans is incorporated in the Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock. A notice should be prominently displayed detailing useful telephone numbers, instructions to be given to the emergency services and the location of the nearest water supply (see Appendix A.5b). The inspector will ask you about your procedures for dealing with emergencies to ensure that they are in accordance with the Welfare Codes. S.6 TRANSPORT 6.1 Animal transporters must comply with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (Northern Ireland) This is a legal requirement. For further information on transportation of livestock with regard to construction, maintenance, and operation of vehicles, see Appendix A.6. The person(s) involved in transporting livestock must have signed and dated the Guidance Notes to indicate that they have read and understood them. 21

22 6.2 Transporters must be competent and licensed in accordance with the relevant legislation. This is a legal requirement. A register of licensed transporters is available from DARD. The inspector will ask you for the name and location of your livestock haulier (if applicable). 6.3 On-farm transport vehicles must be constructed and maintained in accordance with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 to ensure the safety of the animals during loading, transport and unloading. This is a legal requirement. It is recommended that, in order to avoid injury and allow air to circulate, the space above the highest part of cattle (other than calves) should be at least 20 cm, and at least 10 cm above calves and sheep. The inspector will ask to see your livestock trailer (if applicable) to ensure that it is constructed and maintained in accordance with current legislation (see Apendix A.6). 6.4 A roof or waterproof cover which provides protection from the weather must be fitted over the entire area of the livestock compartment. The inspector will check that the roof is waterproof, properly secured to the vehicle and adequately supported to prevent sagging. 6.5 Non-slip flooring, which is free from projections or other hazards likely to cause injury, must be fitted. The inspector will check the flooring to ensure that it is non-slip and free of projections and other hazards likely to cause injury. 6.6 Apertures to facilitate inspection during transport must be provided. It must be possible to inspect all animals from outside the vehicle. Sight through the ventilation apertures is usually satisfactory. The inspector will check apertures and footholds to ensure that all areas within the livestock compartment can be inspected from outside the vehicle. 22

23 6.7 Where ramps are used, they must be constructed and maintained in a way to prevent animals slipping and have secure side guards which are free from projections or other hazards likely to cause injury. Ramp angles must not exceed the legal requirements. The maximum ramp angles for cattle and sheep are given in Appendix A.6. The inspector will check that ramps are properly maintained and do not exceed the maximum permitted angles. 6.8 Partitions must be available to allow segregation of unfamiliar groups of animals and/or animals of differing age, size and type. Partition dimensions and pen size must be in accordance with current legislation. For example, mixing of clean and dirty animals for slaughter may result in contamination of clean animals during transit. For details of minimum partition dimensions and maximum pen lengths see Appendix A.6. The inspector will check partitions to ensure that they are properly maintained and are constructed in accordance with current legislation. 6.9 Sufficient ventilation must be provided for the type, number and size of animals to be transported, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Ventilation is usually achieved through apertures in the sides of the livestock compartment. The inspector will check that ventilation apertures are properly maintained and can be adjusted to account for climatic conditions and the type and number of animals to be transported Animals must be transported at the correct stocking density. Space allowances must be adjusted according to weather conditions, type of vehicle, the size and category of stock, and the distance intended to be travelled. For details of recommended space allowances for cattle and sheep see Appendix A.6. The inspector will ask you to provide details of the maximum number of stock transported to ensure that stocking densities are adhered to Transport vehicles must be cleansed and disinfected in accordance with the Transport of Animals and Poultry (Cleansing and Disinfection) Order (Northern Ireland) This is a legal requirement. On-farm livestock trailers/vehicles must be clean at time of inspection, if not in use. 23

24 S.7 ENVIRONMENTAL CARE 7.1 The producer must adopt a positive attitude towards the countryside by complying with current environmental legislation and Good Farming Practice. The farm must be kept neat and tidy. One of the core requirements of participants in farm assurance schemes is to demonstrate responsibility for the environment. Good Farming Practice (GFP) is the phrase used to describe a new agricultural policy initiative. It is based on common sense, and follows on from a European Commission Regulation that applies to all EU countries. The Regulation requires that farmers shall apply good farming practices compatible with the need to safeguard the environment and maintain the countryside. The initiative aims to ensure that minimum levels of environmental protection are adopted in everyday farming activity by following the three elements of GFP: 1. Compliance with existing legislation; 2. Meeting a set of conditions referred to as a verifiable standard; and 3. Following the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution. Further details are available from DARD who also offer a training programme (see Appendices A.8 Publications and A.9 Useful Contacts). The inspector will check that you have a copy of the Good Farming Practice publication, and that it has been signed by you to indicate that you have read and understood it. The farm will be scored by the inspector using the guidelines presented in the General Housekeeping Scores (see Appendix A.7). The scoring method will be interpreted only in relation to the potential impact of untidiness on food safety, animal welfare and environmental pollution. REVISED The producer must take special care in the storage, use and disposal of all farm waste and effluents so as to prevent any risk to humans and animals and to avoid pollution of the environment. The Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil must be followed. The inspector will check that you have a copy of the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil, and that you have signed them to indicate that you have read and understood them. The inspector will check that storage facilities for farm wastes and effluents do not pose any risk to humans, animals or the environment. 7.3 The producer must take remedial action to resolve any pollution problems that occur. Where the possibility exists for a potential pollution problem, the participant will be invited to take advice from DARD Countryside Management Division. Where pollution incidents occur on participant s farms, NIFCC may liaise with statutory bodies to ensure that they have been resolved satisfactorily. 24