The New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) is a single audit standard accepted by the bulk of meat companies combining at least 80% of existing audit requirements.
Farmers have greeted it as a time-saver, especially for those supplying multiple meat companies.
The new assurance standard was an initiative of the Red Meat Profit Partnership, a Primary Growth Partnership programme involving the bulk of meat industry players.
Manager of the Red Meat Profit Partnership, Michael Smith, said trials showed it would not increase paperwork and while the current system was not broken it was inefficient, added costs and confusion especially for farmers who supplied multiple companies.
Companies that have collaborated in the NZFAP are Alliance, Anzco, Blue Sky Meats, Greenlea Premier Meats, Progressive Meats and Silver Fern Farms.
These companies worked with AsureQuality and Beef + Lamb New Zealand on the programme.
It was trialled by 34 sheep, beef and deer farmers across the country and one of those, Gareth Isbister from near Oamaru, said he could see benefits to farmers and industry.
“It is a great idea having a single standard across the whole industry. We need to satisfy our overseas markets and a standardised farm assurance programme will help us do this.
“Further, as a multi-processor supplier the time-saving with only having one audit in the future as part of the requirements to meet the NZFAP will be really helpful.”
Smith said those farmers already farm-assured with their meat processor should notice little change next time they were audited.
He said it would be a gradual transition from existing to new industry standards as the NZFAP was rolled out from this month.
“The ultimate goal is that all sheep, beef and deer farmers will be involved in NZFAP.”
