Approximately 12,000 members of the NI beef and lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) will have to undergo formal training in the handling and administration of veterinary medicines this winter, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned.
The main driver behind the initiative is the ongoing concern around the threat to humans from antimicrobial resistance. Training in the safe use of antibiotics has been a recommendation in the Red Tractor beef and lamb scheme in England since June 2018, and is expected to become a compulsory requirement there within the next two years.
Logic would suggest that a similar requirement would come into force in NI at some point in the near future.
Funding for the training is potentially coming from the CAFRE delivered Farm Family Key Skills initiative
However, to pre-empt that, and also to make use of potential funding available this winter, the committee which sets the standard and rules for the NI scheme has decided to move on the issue now.
Funding for the training is potentially coming from the CAFRE delivered Farm Family Key Skills initiative, which is part of the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020.
The alternative is to put the issue to the side for now, but it would potentially mean that farmers would have to pay to attend at some point in the future. Under the current proposal, it comes free.
However, it will still be a major logistical challenge to get everyone trained this winter. With approximately 12,000 farmers in the scheme, it would require 200 farmers to attend each night over a three-month period.
Finalised
The exact details of the required course are yet to be finalised by the various industry stakeholders on the committee, which includes farm organisations such as the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the National Beef Association and the National Sheep Association.
However, it is understood that the committee wants it to involve a one-off presentation which lasts around two hours and has no examination at the end. This would mirror the recommendation which is currently part of Red Tractor in England, where participants can hold a certificate of attendance from a veterinary-run training course.
The dairy sector in NI is covered by the UK-wide Red Tractor dairy scheme, where training in the use of veterinary medicines remains a non-compulsory requirement at present.
Inspections
Meanwhile, the possibility of introducing unannounced inspections as part of the beef and lamb FQAS in NI has been met with opposition from local stakeholders on the standards committee.
Reports suggest that Red Tractor are planning to introduce unannounced inspections in the English beef and lamb scheme this autumn
UK-wide Red Tractor schemes cover the dairy, pigs and poultry sectors in NI, and unannounced inspections have already been introduced for participants that have significant non-conformances in routine audits.
Reports suggest that Red Tractor are planning to introduce unannounced inspections in the English beef and lamb scheme this autumn, and given that the FQAS is part of the Red Tractor scheme, there is pressure on us to follow suit.
That was discussed by local stakeholders at last week’s committee meeting, however, the main issue remains that many NI beef and lamb producers are part-time, and will not be available if and when an inspector calls.
Read more
Red Tractor rolls out spot checks
Sheep sector needs to reduce antibiotic use
Dairy industry halfway to antibiotic targets
Approximately 12,000 members of the NI beef and lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) will have to undergo formal training in the handling and administration of veterinary medicines this winter, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned.
The main driver behind the initiative is the ongoing concern around the threat to humans from antimicrobial resistance. Training in the safe use of antibiotics has been a recommendation in the Red Tractor beef and lamb scheme in England since June 2018, and is expected to become a compulsory requirement there within the next two years.
Logic would suggest that a similar requirement would come into force in NI at some point in the near future.
Funding for the training is potentially coming from the CAFRE delivered Farm Family Key Skills initiative
However, to pre-empt that, and also to make use of potential funding available this winter, the committee which sets the standard and rules for the NI scheme has decided to move on the issue now.
Funding for the training is potentially coming from the CAFRE delivered Farm Family Key Skills initiative, which is part of the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020.
The alternative is to put the issue to the side for now, but it would potentially mean that farmers would have to pay to attend at some point in the future. Under the current proposal, it comes free.
However, it will still be a major logistical challenge to get everyone trained this winter. With approximately 12,000 farmers in the scheme, it would require 200 farmers to attend each night over a three-month period.
Finalised
The exact details of the required course are yet to be finalised by the various industry stakeholders on the committee, which includes farm organisations such as the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the National Beef Association and the National Sheep Association.
However, it is understood that the committee wants it to involve a one-off presentation which lasts around two hours and has no examination at the end. This would mirror the recommendation which is currently part of Red Tractor in England, where participants can hold a certificate of attendance from a veterinary-run training course.
The dairy sector in NI is covered by the UK-wide Red Tractor dairy scheme, where training in the use of veterinary medicines remains a non-compulsory requirement at present.
Inspections
Meanwhile, the possibility of introducing unannounced inspections as part of the beef and lamb FQAS in NI has been met with opposition from local stakeholders on the standards committee.
Reports suggest that Red Tractor are planning to introduce unannounced inspections in the English beef and lamb scheme this autumn
UK-wide Red Tractor schemes cover the dairy, pigs and poultry sectors in NI, and unannounced inspections have already been introduced for participants that have significant non-conformances in routine audits.
Reports suggest that Red Tractor are planning to introduce unannounced inspections in the English beef and lamb scheme this autumn, and given that the FQAS is part of the Red Tractor scheme, there is pressure on us to follow suit.
That was discussed by local stakeholders at last week’s committee meeting, however, the main issue remains that many NI beef and lamb producers are part-time, and will not be available if and when an inspector calls.
Read more
Red Tractor rolls out spot checks
Sheep sector needs to reduce antibiotic use
Dairy industry halfway to antibiotic targets
SHARING OPTIONS