A new animal feed testing and sampling regime which starts its initial run this summer, will put the animal feed trade in Ireland ahead of every country in Europe This was the message from Professor Chris Elliott, from the Global Food Security Unit at Queens University when he spoke at a recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association.(NIGTA)
He congratulated NIGTA on having the foresight to utilise the scientific knowledge and modern technology to carry out this detailed sampling, and monitoring plan. He added "As the first link in the food chain you are setting an excellent example. This must be followed throughout the food chain, with the ultimate aim of testing and monitoring everything that is imported into or exported from Ireland and GB."
NIGTA members have been working closely with Queens to develop a feed security system which will help ensure the safety of all feed materials coming into the island of Ireland and will continue to monitor them through the processing and transporting of the animal feed to the farm gate. A detailed analysis of all sources of contamination and monitoring systems has been developed in conjunction with a comprehensive sampling and testing regime.
Chris Elliott commented "The system we have developed has been bench marked against some of the leading monitoring and testing systems in Europe and has indicated that our system is much more comprehensive in its monitoring and testing over a very wide range of materials."
Professor Elliott has also been tasked by government to study the integrity of the food supply chain and report on the horsemeat contamination and what lessons have been learned for the future. He points out that cost is everything in the supermarket trade and some manufacturers had to find ways of meeting this price pressure. He added "If the UK market is not prepared to pay for our food why are we selling it there.? Take the example of infant milk formula in China. The biggest supplier is Ireland and the Chinese pay five times more for the Irish product than the local one because there is a quality guarantee."
NIGTA President, Owen Brennan, who is also a member of the Food Strategy Board welcomed these comments stating that these messages were included in the Board's "Going For Growth" report - grow NI food output by 60% by 2020, through support from government and the regulators along with wholesome food which is quality guaranteed at every link in the chain.
Joe Gilkinson, who chairs the family owned, rural feed compounders committee within NIGTA added "The Food Strategy report is a challenging document but to grow the industry we need farmers. I would like to emphasise that our customers will need support from government and the financial institutions to deliver the growth required. As Chris Elliott has implied, they require the food chain to return prices which will bring profitability back to the primary producers and which will allow them to recover from the effects of weather conditions combined with poor prices."
Professor Elliott Meeting June 2013
NIGTA organised a Seminar at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office for the Danske Bank's Agribusiness team recently. A program of speakers covered the range of activity within the local supply trade. Presentations were delivered by Joe O'Neill, Commercial Director, Belfast Harbour who gave an insight into the history of Belfast Harbour and the important role the port plays in the agricultural industry here..
Ben Frazer from W & R Barnett spoke on global grain markets focusing on recent production estimates and likely trends for this year. This was followed by NIGTA Chief Executive Robin Irvine who gave a local perspective highlighting the importance of the supply trade and the effect of price volatility on agriculture here. Robin highlighted the problems of profitability and cash flow at farm level and the impact this had on the trade.
All presentations were followed by useful Q&A sessions with discussion continuing over lunch at the Harbour Office. The group then travelled to John Thompsons & Sons Ltd for a tour of the mill at York Street, Belfast and an informative discussion with Declan Billington, Chief Executive and George Starrett, Nutritionist.
A NIGTA delegation in the form of Robin Irvine CEO and Joe Gilkinson, Country Compounders Convenor met Minister of Agriculture Michelle O'Neill to discuss issues of concern to the trade. They outlined the background to the current high feed cost and the impact of this, together with problems of fodder shortage and quality, on farm profitability and cash flow.
The trade is carrying an extra 40 to 50 Million Pounds of additional credit to farmers and supply business's are under severe pressure. Farmers need help to cope with the increasing volatility in cost and returns and the food chain needs to respond with more support for primary producers. The Minister was supportive of the NIGTA position and agreed that development of financial management skills should be a priority for farmers. She welcomed enthusiastically the Value of Advice initiative and the introduction of the Feed Advisors Register which will enhance the support the trade can provide to local farmers.
The introduction of the "FEMAS Risk Calculator" will help feed ingredient suppliers monitor undesirable substances in their products and enhance the safety of the food chain. The calculator does not replace individual businesses' risk assessments but it should be used as a tool to guide their monitoring programs . The FEMAS Calculator is available online at www.aicportal.paipyramid.com
The calculator covers all feeds and additives with each material scored for risk to health and for the most likely contaminants. The FEMAS Standard applies to producers of feed ingredients and generally relates to by products of the local human food industry supplied to compounders or direct to farm. The Scheme is being updated to make compliance with the calculator compulsory when participants have had a chance to familiarise themselves with it and to provide any feedback on the use of the website to Simon Williams at AIC.
A new initiative announced this month will recognise the competence of advisers working in the animal feed sector and also provide a structure for training and professional development.
Speaking at a recent seminar for fieldstaff employed by agricultural supply companies Robin Irvine of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association highlighted the importance of the advice and guidance provided in support of products supplied to farmers.
"Farming is supported by a wide range of professional advisors from agronomists to vets to feed advisers. Each plays an important role in delivering technical advice to support sustainable farming systems. Advisers help businesses to improve competitiveness and resource efficiency and are helping the agricultural industry deliver its environmental objectives.
"It has been calculated that throughout the UK there are 20,000 conversations every week between suppliers and farmer customers. These conversations will revolve around the use of products but often will involve discussions on farming techniques and husbandry.
"Many of our customers look to our sales and advisory staff for guidance on a range of issues - these advisers will often play a significant part in the management of particular client farms and will influence many of the decisions made.
"Our trade has been shown to be the principle disseminator of advice and information to farmers - hopefully this is all good advice - soundly based and bringing benefit to our customers.
"With the launch of FAR ( Feed Advisers Register) the feed industry now has an accepted standard of practice in this area - a qualification which has to be earned and maintained.
"The Register will recognise competence in a number of key areas and will also create a framework for Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
"This provides a structure for our staff to develop their skills and to add value to the business we do with our customers. It makes a significant statement of our commitment to the industry - in improving standards - in recognising and rewarding staff development - in supporting our customers in an area which is no longer covered by other agencies.
"The communication of the messages from Research & Development - from the scientist to the farmer - delivering the science and turning it into practical and commercial reality."
Details of The Feed Adviser Register (FAR) can be found at www.feedadviserregister.org.uk
Safe food was high on the agenda at the SDLP Agriculture Seminar held in Newry recently.
With a speakers panel including Gerry Mc Curdy, Food Standards Agency, Professor Chris Elliot, QUB and Professor Pat Wall from UCD, managing the risks to the food chain was a recurrent theme.
The NIGTA initiative to implement a Strategic, Risk Based Sampling system was welcomed.
The problems with horsemeat in beef products and with contaminated Maize from Serbia were cited as evidence of the cost of inadequate quality systems.
Following the recent tender and detailed selection process, AIC have awarded the contract for certification of the UFAS Scheme to PAI.
This will be effective from 1st September 2013 for a period of four years and it will involve a transition from SAI Global who have delivered the scheme since its inception.
The change will provide an opportunity for a much greater involvement by NI Food Chain Certification (NIFCC) in the local feed sector.
A NIGTA seminar on Greenhouse Gasses and the role of the supply trade in helping farmers reduce emissions was held at Greenmount College and attracted a good cross section of the supply trade.
Speakers from DARD and CAFRE highlighted the importance of efficient use of inputs and the fact that the suppliers of these inputs can help by delivering the correct advice on their use. "Efficient farming will be profitable farming and it will also do less damage to our environment" according to Ian Mc Cluggage from CAFRE. "A voluntary approach to these issues involving farmers, the supply trade and DARD can deliver the desired outcomes but there is a big education job to do".
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