December 9, 2009: Trade assurance schemes now a key feature of food and feedchains

“It is clear that TASCC is now an integral part of the grain chain which helps hauliers, merchants, stores and testing facilities meet legislative and customer requirements.
With membership of the assurance schemes operated by the Agricultural Industries Confederation approaching 3,000, the schemes are now a key feature of agricultural and feed ingredient supply chains, says AIC technical manager Garry Rudd.
Speaking at UK Grain, Mr Rudd pointed out that participation in the four AIC-operated schemes had increase significantly over the past seven years.
“Between them, the schemes now provide assurance on the safety of combinable crops, feed ingredients and feedstuffs for the food and feed industries; as well as delivering security to the fertiliser supply chain from point of manufacture to the farmgate,” said Mr Rudd.
Increasingly the schemes are gaining recognition beyond UK shores. “Reciprocal agreements with assurance schemes operating to the same standards in other countries deliver ‘joined up’ assurance and reduce cost and bureaucracy,” said Mr Rudd.
Input from scheme participants and representatives of the supply chains ensures that the schemes are up-to-date, relevant, remain up to date in terms of regulations, but remains practical to implement.
“For example, we are currently working on the new TASCC codes for 2010/11. One of the issues being debated is the use of second hand and hire trailers, which is really important to the hauliers who comprise a major membership of many of the schemes,” said Mr Rudd.
“It is clear that TASCC is now an integral part of the grain chain which helps hauliers, merchants, stores and testing facilities meet legislative and customer requirements.
Given that the number of non conformances seen during the annual audit are decreasing, it is clear that standards in the supply chain are rising,” concluded Mr Rudd.

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