Assured Food Standards Update Nov 2022

The BRC is one of the owners of Assured Food Standards (AFS), the Red Tractor scheme which assures UK produce sold in our stores and used by some of our food to go members. We had a recent Ownership Body meeting where AFS gave an update on current activity. Key points were

 1   Chair’s Update

• Continue to work to strengthen support amongst the industry – met AHDB and AIC to discuss issues with the standards
• Also met Minister Spencer to reinforce importance and value of AFS
• Recognise AFS need to get on the front foot and better communicate value to farmers

• Responding to farmer requests simplifying audit process where possible without compromising robustness
• Made progress simplifying beef, lamb, dairy and combinable crops
• Taking proposals on simplification to sector boards for approval
• Risk based auditing being used and has increased compliance

• Income has increased and compensates for loss of AHDB income
• Forecasting increase income 2022/23

• Slower start than hoped – AFS recognise difficult time to introduce changes
• Currently trialling with 30 farmers but hoping more brands will encourage supply chain participation
• Online version of module available in January
• Aiming to review module and next steps Spring 2023
• Organic module – no decision on whether to pursue

• AFS considering how to restructure boards to increase engagement
• Preparing proposals for AFS Board in New Year
• Will retain sector based engagement but make the process less committee based and more open to focused engagement