Bord Bia is carrying out a review of its Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.

It is understood that talks are ongoing with various stakeholders involved in the process. One of the main considerations on the table is an easing of the process regarding failed inspections.

As it stands, if a farmer fails a QA inspection, he/she is generally excluded from the scheme for three months. However, an appeal can be heard by an appeals committee prior to that.

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One consideration being discussed is that if a farmer fails a QA inspection on a minor issue, then he/she would not be excluded but would rather be given time to address that issue. This would be in line with the new Dairy QA Scheme and the FQAS in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the July meeting of the IFA Executive Council meeting in Dublin, National Livestock Committe chair Henry Burns said the IFA is working with Bord Bia and other stakeholders on updating the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme.

“The IFA is represented on the Bord Bia technical committee working on the producer standards,” Burns said.

“The IFA wants to simplify the process and introduce a more farmer-friendly close-out system which will provide farmers with the opportunity to rectify problems and avoid them being debarred from the scheme for any period. The current system is cumbersome and provides producers with no opportunity to rectify problems and stay engaged with the scheme. The IFA is focused on rewarding farmers in the scheme and growing the number of participants,” Burns added.