Over two months after suspending all farm inspection work due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NI beef and lamb farm quality assurance (FQAS) industry board has confirmed that inspections will resume from 8 June 2020.
However, the work will be conducted under a new protocol designed to ensure social distancing, and to be within government guidelines.
Inspectors will not enter the farmhouse, but instead aim to review paperwork outside, for example at a workbench in a machinery shed. An alternative, to ensure the assessor does not come into physical contact with farm records, is that the farmer emails copies of relevant documents prior to the inspection.
During the visit, assessors will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks and gloves, and should meet only one representative from the farm business.
The preferred method involves sending selected documents to the inspector at least 24 hours before a livestream assessment done by video call
However, it is also recognised that some FQAS members might be in a vulnerable or shielding group, so it would not be appropriate for a face-to-face visit to take place. Instead a remote assessment is possible.
The preferred method involves sending selected documents to the inspector at least 24 hours before a livestream assessment done by video call.
During this video call, the assessor will direct the farmer, requesting to view the required areas/livestock, etc.
Where someone has a strong internet connection, it is possible to do the entire inspection, including reviewing documentation, using the technology.
A scheme member would be expected to take photographs of key parts of the farm
Where video calling is not possible, an assessment can be done by telephone, although this option should only be chosen as a “last resort”, states LMC guidance. A scheme member would be expected to take photographs of key parts of the farm, and send these, along with copies of relevant records (medicine book etc), to an inspector at least 24 hours before the phone call is to take place.
Read more
FQAS audits cancelled on NI beef and sheep farms
Antibiotic review added to FQAS
Over two months after suspending all farm inspection work due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NI beef and lamb farm quality assurance (FQAS) industry board has confirmed that inspections will resume from 8 June 2020.
However, the work will be conducted under a new protocol designed to ensure social distancing, and to be within government guidelines.
Inspectors will not enter the farmhouse, but instead aim to review paperwork outside, for example at a workbench in a machinery shed. An alternative, to ensure the assessor does not come into physical contact with farm records, is that the farmer emails copies of relevant documents prior to the inspection.
During the visit, assessors will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks and gloves, and should meet only one representative from the farm business.
The preferred method involves sending selected documents to the inspector at least 24 hours before a livestream assessment done by video call
However, it is also recognised that some FQAS members might be in a vulnerable or shielding group, so it would not be appropriate for a face-to-face visit to take place. Instead a remote assessment is possible.
The preferred method involves sending selected documents to the inspector at least 24 hours before a livestream assessment done by video call.
During this video call, the assessor will direct the farmer, requesting to view the required areas/livestock, etc.
Where someone has a strong internet connection, it is possible to do the entire inspection, including reviewing documentation, using the technology.
A scheme member would be expected to take photographs of key parts of the farm
Where video calling is not possible, an assessment can be done by telephone, although this option should only be chosen as a “last resort”, states LMC guidance. A scheme member would be expected to take photographs of key parts of the farm, and send these, along with copies of relevant records (medicine book etc), to an inspector at least 24 hours before the phone call is to take place.
Read more
FQAS audits cancelled on NI beef and sheep farms
Antibiotic review added to FQAS
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