Report: The value of FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS assurance for UK feed and food safety

Executive summary

The procurement of safe feed and food materials have never been more important given the current volatile global geopolitical political impacts, climate change and the impact of possible pandemics.

Feeding the nation has never been more challenging, however, the framework for feed and food assurance continues to evolve to meet these challenges.

The UK's feed and food assurance schemes are crucial in upholding the UK's globally renowned food and feed safety standards and ensuring safe feed and food.

These schemes operate at the start of the agri-food supply chain, so ensuring a high level of control at this point is critical.

Given the intricate and extensive nature of supply chains for crops and animal feed - encompassing various global sources, modes of transport, and storage facilities - integrity and confidence are paramount.

Ensuring animal feed safety is vital, as any lapses can compromise the entire food supply chain, ultimately affecting public health.

In the past, mismanagement and fraudulent activities in food and feed safety have led to severe incidents, such as BSE, Foot and Mouth, and Salmonella outbreaks in the early 1990s and 2000s.

To mitigate these risks, feed and food assurance schemes were developed. Today these are indispensable components of livestock and food production in the UK, Europe, and across the globe.

AIC Services manages three trade assurance schemes to ensure rigorous standards and practices are maintained throughout the supply chain.

1. Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS): The leading trade assurance scheme covering all feed ingredients for direct feeding or inclusion in compound feeds and blends. FEMAS is based on HACCP principles, foundational to UK and EU Food and Feed legislation.

2. Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC): Ensures that crops like grain, oilseeds, and pulses are responsibly treated post-farm. TASCC provides independent verification that the trade complies with food and feed safety laws and covers more than 95% of traded combinable crops.

3. Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS): Launched in 1998, UFAS now accounts for more than 95% of commercially produced compound feed in the UK and Ireland, encompassing nearly 1,000 sites.

Report authors

Foreword

Animal feed is a vital part of the food chain. Problems with feed can put people at risk. This is why maintaining high animal feed standards is such a crucial part of the FSA’s work to keep consumers protected. Our mission is to ensure people can trust the food they eat is safe, and feed businesses are the very first step in the farm to fork chain.

The FSA’s most recent Annual Report on Food Standards has shown us that the food and feed system has proven extremely resilient, despite the pressure put on global supply chains in recent years.

I was also encouraged to learn from our report that the vast majority of animal feed establishments continue to operate safely. The feed and food assurance schemes (FEMAS, TASCC, and UFAS) that are managed by the Agricultural Industries Confederation are an important part of that resilience. They help to keep standards high and allow resources to be targeted at businesses who are highest risk.

I’m pleased that the FSA has a well-established and strong working relationship with the AIC, which underpins FSA Approved Assurance. We look forward to continuing to work in close collaboration with the AIC to protect public health and ensure that people have food that they can trust.

Background

Food and feed supply chains

Supply chains for crops and animal feed can often be long and complex.

Feed ingredients and other agricultural commodities are sourced globally via traders, which involves multiple modes of transport (ships, rail, lorries) and storage facilities before arriving at feed mills and other processors, to produce food for consumers and feed for livestock.

Animal feed safety is vital for the integrity of the wider food chain as products from farmed livestock are ultimately consumed by members of the public.

Devastating and costly consequences have resulted from mismanagement and fraudulent activity in the area of food and feed safety, as demonstrated by several major incidents in the early 1990s and at the turn of the last millennium, including BSE, Foot and Mouth and Salmonella.

More recently feed incidents have also been associated with the contamination or adulteration of feed ingredients with toxic chemicals such as dioxin and melamine, and again have had devastating and costly consequences for the feed and food sectors.

To assist in combating these risks, feed and food assurance schemes have been developed and have become a vital component of livestock and food production within the UK, Europe and across the globe.

Watch the video below for an overview.

Food fraud

The 2013 horsemeat scandal, commonly known as "Horsegate", was caused by the deliberate mislabelling of horse meat for inclusion in the meat supply chain – a direct result of food fraud.

The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) is a dedicated law enforcement function of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and was founded on the recommendation of an independent report commissioned by the Government to examine the causes of "Horsegate".

The Unit provides leadership on food crime across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The unit works closely with the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit within Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

Food crime is defined as serious fraud and related criminality in food supply chains, including activity which impacts drink and animal feed. The NFCU response is determined by assessing the gravity of the fraud.

This will include considerations of the degree of planning and coordination in committing it, the impact of the fraud across geographical regions and boundaries, and the financial loss and other harm to the public and industry.

Examples of food crime include the use of stolen food in the supply chain, unlawful slaughter, diversion of unsafe food, adulteration, substitution or misrepresentation of food, and document fraud.

Food and Feed Recalls

The FSA issues food - and occasionally feed - recalls concerning a range of issues from mislabelling, and allergen and microbiological contamination.

Go to the FSA website for the latest recall report.

Assurance Schemes

The Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) covers all feed ingredients intended for direct feeding to animals or for inclusion in compound feeds and blends.

It is based on HACCP principles, a system originally pioneered by space agency NASA, but now forming the bedrock of UK and EU Food and Feed legislation.

The Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) was launched in 1998 and now accounts for well over 95% of the commercially produced compound feed in the UK and Ireland.

A merchants’ standard was added later to the scheme, and in total UFAS now has almost 1,000 participating sites in the UK and Ireland.

The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) was developed because farmers and end users wanted to be sure that crops of grain, oilseeds and pulses were treated responsibly once they left the farm.

This includes wheat processed by flour millers and malting barley for the brewers and distillers in the drinks industry.

The Scheme provides independent verification that the trade meets food and feed safety laws.

Recognition

Earned Recognition

Earned Recognition with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in England and Wales, Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)/FSA Northern Ireland, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for UFAS medicated feed sites is achieved through rigorous compliance with key feed safety legislation.

This recognition confirms that schemes require Participants to meet essential safety standards, supported by robust, transparent, and impartial governance.

For certified Participants, the primary benefit of Earned Recognition is fewer inspections by enforcement officers.

Consistent compliance through certification leads to risk rating adjustments, reducing the frequency of official visits by up to 50%.

The reduction in inspection frequency thanks to Earned Recognition is estimated to save the feed industry more than £3 million each year.

AIC Services maintains recognition of these schemes by submitting monthly, quarterly, and annual data.

They also engage in regular meetings with authorities to ensure ongoing compliance with legislative requirements.

This collaboration provides a legal basis for information sharing in cases of food or feed safety incidents, enhancing industry safety.

Recognition by other schemes

UK Farm Assurance

The feed assurance schemes are also recognised by major UK farm assurance schemes, including Red Tractor, Scottish Quality Crops, and Quality Meat Scotland.

Additionally, the British Egg Industry Council's Lion Code mandates that farmers purchase feed from certified Participants in FEMAS, TASCC, or UFAS Schemes. These Schemes have a high level of farm coverage throughout the UK.

Mutual Recognition with overseas feed schemes

In the global feed and food industry, the safety of imported ingredients is paramount.

AIC Services evaluates various international feed assurance schemes and establishes "Mutual Recognition" agreements when appropriate safety controls are in place.

These agreements enable AIC Scheme Participants to source ingredients confidently from global suppliers while allowing UK businesses to access international markets.

AIC Services also plays a pivotal role in the International Committee for Road Transport (ICRT), which ensures the safe haulage of goods through regular meetings and the maintenance of the International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF).

This resource helps hauliers determine the safety of transporting materials and the necessary cleaning procedures.

Other international contacts

AIC Services works with several European trade bodies on feed and food safety.

This work has become even more vital following EU-Exit, ensuring that Scheme Participants in Great Britain are kept up to date with the latest European developments, which in turn allows for continued access to the important EU market.

Examples of the trade bodies that we work with are:

• FEFAC - Representing the European animal feed sector
• COCERAL - European association representing the trade in cereals, rice, feedstuffs, oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats and agri-supply
• FEDIOL - representing the European vegetable oil and protein meal industry

Schemes in detail

The Schemes are managed by AIC Services in conjunction with the working groups, joint development group, and review groups.

The Schemes' requirements have been aligned where applicable to ensure consistent wording of clauses and the desired outcome, which also benefits participants certified to multiple schemes.

Challenges & opportunities

The UK's food and feed assurance sector faces a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities, shaped by recent geo-political changes, evolving regulations, and global trends in sustainability.

Feed incidents

These past incidents put the health and safety of humans and animals at risk and led to the development of the FEMAS, TASCC, and UFAS trade assurance schemes by AIC Services.

AIC’s Feed & Food Assurance Schemes provide a vital due diligence defence for agri-food supply chains, which ensures feed and food safety.

Watch a summary video below.

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UK Feed and Food Safety Incidents

• 1950s/60s – Turkey “X” disease: Over 100,000 turkeys in the UK were killed by caused by the presence of deadly aflatoxin in turkey feed.
• 1970s – Newcastle disease: Avian virus found in animal feed spread disease among farmed poultry. It was traced to contaminated port storage where seagulls were not effectively controlled.

• Late 1980s – Salmonella in eggs: Contamination of feed materials caused by poor storage and hygiene, and a lack of rigorous testing and monitoring.
• 1980s/90s – Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE): A fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting cows, caused by feeding protein derived from the meat and bone meal of other cattle.
• 1997 – Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) for hauliers and storage launches, assuring the handling and transport of crops.
  • Developed to give farmers and end users confidence that crops of grain, oilseeds and pulses were treated responsibly once they left the farm.

• 1998 – Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) launches, assuring feed destined for UK livestock
  • Developed in response to consumer and legislative pressure following food scares such as BSE and Salmonella.
• 1998 – UFAS achieved 95% compound feed market coverage
• 1998 – British Lion eggs code begins

 

• 1999 – Belgian dioxins found in pig feed: Recycled fat contaminated with oil used in pig feed caused widespread disruption in Europe, which made pork unsafe for human consumption.
• 2000 – Red Tractor farm assurance begins.
  • AIC Services schemes dovetail with farm assurance livestock and crop schemes.

• 2001 – Foot and Mouth disease: Virus caused by feeding contaminated food waste to pigs, impacting the welfare of farmed livestock and wildlife, devastating the productivity and profitability of UK farms.

• 2001 – Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) launches, assuring feed ingredients destined for UK livestock.
  • Developed in response to consumer and legislative demands to further enhance feed assurance.
• 2003 – AIC Services begins management of FEMAS, UFAS and TASCC, introducing greater rigour and professionalism to the schemes.
• 2005 – UFAS moves to requiring a fully-assured supply chain for feed ingredients.
• 2008 – Dioxin case, Ireland: Saw a global recall of Irish pork deemed unsafe to eat – caused by contaminated fuel oil used to dry former foods destined for pig feed.

• 2009 – A closer working relationship with EU feed and food assurance schemes was fostered, leading to mutual recognition of key EU and UK assurance schemes.
• 2011 – Dioxin case, Germany: Laying hen feed contaminated after ingredients were treated unsafely, resulting in eggs unfit for human consumption and Europe-wide recalls.
• 2012 – UFAS dioxin monitoring programme was developed, providing confidence and data for the industry on dioxin levels in feed.
• 2013 – Aflatoxin in milk, Netherlands and Germany: Caused by contaminated maize feed, product unsafe for human consumption and recalled.

• 2013 – FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS join other European schemes in joint maize aflatoxin risk assessment programme for greater transparency.
• 2014 – Acknowledging improved legal compliance and safety, UFAS, FEMAS, and TASCC granted valuable Earned Recognition with the UK Government, reducing the burden of inspections for Participants.
• 2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic: Introduction of remote and hybrid audits to accommodate the movement restrictions of the virus.

• 2024 - FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS revised and aligned to aid understanding among businesses participating in multiple Schemes.
• 2024 – 4,000+ scheme Participants across TASCC, UFAS and FEMAS.
• 2024 and beyond - Further alignment of the three schemes ensuring consistent and common wording for requirements.
  • Continued investment to develop the schemes and auditing to meet evolving industry, government and stakeholder needs.

Monitoring

"Undesirable substances" in EU legislation on animal nutrition means any substance or product, with the exception of pathogenic agents (for example bacteria and viruses), present in and/or on the product intended for animal feed which presents a potential danger to human health, animal health or the environment.

Some are naturally occurring, while others can be carried over to food from water, air or soil, or created as a by-product of the food production process itself.

Key hazards for animal feed include undesirable substances and other contaminants such as:

• Mycotoxins (Aflatoxin B1, Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZON), Fumonisin B1 and B2, T-2 and HT-2 and Ochratoxin) which are produced by fungi and can be found in cereals
• Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)

Salmonella in Animal Feedingstuffs (Summary of Defra Report)

The "Salmonella in animals and feed in Great Britain 2022" report [PDF] (September 2023) presents the number of Salmonella isolations from livestock and animal feedingstuffs from samples collated in 2022 by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

In 2022, seven ruminant feed isolations were reported, which is significantly lower than in 2021 and 2020, which were 20 and 19 respectively.

A comparison of the serovars isolated from ruminant livestock was not found in the feeds, demonstrating a negligible link between feed and the Salmonella isolations in this livestock group.

There were 14 isolations of Salmonella in compound pig feed, compared with 21 isolations in 2021 and nine isolations in 2020.

There were common serovars isolated in compound pig feed and pigs; S. Derby (two isolations in feed vs 15 in pigs ), S. Kedougou (three isolations in feed vs three in pigs), and S. 4,5,12:I (one isolation in feed vs 23 in pigs).

The low incidence of the serovars found in feed compared to Salmonella in pigs would suggest that other sources of infection are more significant than feed.

In 2022, there were 15 isolations of Salmonella in poultry compound feed. This is a significant reduction from 2021 where there were 24 isolations and in 2020 where there were 37 isolations.

12 different serovars were reported, the most common were S. Agama, S. Kedougou and S. Soerenga (two isolations of each, each accounting for 13.3% of total isolations). S. Soerenga, S. Utah or Salmonella. 6,7:-:enz15 were isolated in feed, but not in poultry.

All of the other serovars isolated in poultry feeds were also isolated in poultry. The report suggests that feed is not the only source of Salmonella infection, but potentially a stronger link than for other species.

Monitoring programmes for poultry, unlike in the case of other animal species, will however detect subclinical infection, which is the usual situation in poultry.

Summary of UK competent authorities for pesticide residues in food: annual report for 2022 (January 2023)

The findings of the UK Food Surveillance System reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are reassuring.

It is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the presence of pesticide residues in animal feed due to the limited data available.

However, the data reviewed for cereal-based food products indicate that, although multiple residues are present, they are generally below the MRL indicating that cereals are unlikely to pose a risk to the animals consuming them.

Fosetyl-Aluminium was detected in six of 84 barley samples tested, but the report concluded there were no food safety issues associated with these residues.

A low level of pesticide residues below MRL in animal products again suggests any residues that may be present in animal feeds are not being passed on to consumers.

In Numbers

Scheme data is collected and reviewed by AIC Services and the scheme committees, including information on Participant numbers per industry sector, numbers of audits completed, numbers of non-conformances raised and the most common non-conformances seen.

All of this information is used to ensure the scheme operates as required, is fulfilling its role in the assurance of the feed/food supply chain and where changes to the Standard or guidance may be required or additional training provided for Participants.

Scheme Participant numbers

^{*2023 data
**Total number of certified Participant sites
***621 responses from 2023 survey}

Key graphs and trends

• Numbers participating in the FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS schemes have remained relatively static
• Certificate numbers are greater than Participants because each Participant business may have more than one site or scope

Support for Participants

Find information on AIC Services' Trade Assurance Schemes, some of which is restricted to AIC Members and Participants.

Training

HACCP Level 2

AIC Members, Participants and non-Members can sign up for the "AIC Principles of HACCP for Agri-Food course Level 2" online training.

The e-learning Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) course is widely used by the industry as training for staff on hazard recognition and implementation of control measures to ensure feed and food safety.

Course details

• Designed specifically for the agri-food sector including feed, crops for feed and food and for all types of businesses from feed mills to merchants, stores and transport companies. It uses examples and illustrations relevant to the sector.
• Developed in consultation with AIC members and trade assurance participants and in association with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and is hosted on the CIEH platform.
• Helps agri-food businesses meet legal obligations regarding HACCP.
• Extends HACCP awareness throughout businesses, supports internal training systems and is ideal for use as part of induction or refresher training programs.

The modular format course is accessible on any device and tracks learner progress so can be fitted around work commitments, taking two to three hours in total to complete.

Trade Assurance Scheme training – provided by Kiwa Agri-Food

Kiwa offers a range of Scheme-specific training which can be held remotely or on-site and tailored to your needs. The courses range from half-day Scheme update training to one-day driver CPC for TASCC Participants.

To book your place contact the training team [email protected] or phone 01423 87887.

TASCC i-learning

AIC provides online training modules, based on its Trade Assurance Schemes and tailored to meet the needs of the participants of each scheme.

TASCC Transport Manager: An interactive course covering, management commitment, HACCP, vehicle hygiene, haulage operations, salmonella & allergens and scheme requirements for TASCC 

TASCC Driver: A shorter version of the Transport Manager course, focussing on vehicle hygiene, collection & delivery, forbidden materials and specific information for TASCC Drivers 

TASCC Storage: This course includes modules on legislation, visitors & contractors, facilities & hygiene, security, and TASCC requirements for stores and storage operations 

For further information contact Kiwa Training by emailing [email protected] or find more information on the AIC Academy webpage.

Feed Adviser Register (FAR): Training & CPD

The main objectives for feed advisers within FAR are to provide quality feed advice, consider production efficiency, and reduce environmental emissions in the livestock sector.

Ultimately, the sustainability of the livestock industry is in the feed sector's interest.

The FAR core modules provide training and confirm understanding of whole farm feed planning, nutrition, health, welfare and fertility, environmental policies and issues affecting the livestock sector and understanding how nutrition and feeding management can be used to mitigate environmental impact.

This course provides feed advisers with additional tools to enable them to build on their current knowledge and understanding and broaden their awareness.

Tools are provided via further reading materials and online resources which include links to Government sites, policies and contact numbers.

Other support

As soon as a business joins FEMAS, TASCC, or UFAS Scheme, they have access to support from both AIC Services and Kiwa Agri-Food.

Direct contact can be made with the Scheme managers in both organisations regarding queries on interpretation, how the Standards are applied and general advice on compliance.

Incidents and concerns should also be reported as described in the Scheme Rules. Guidance and information on Schemes can be found on the Trade Assurance Schemes webpages.

All Schemes provide checklists which can be used for internal auditing and can be downloaded by page or section as required.

In addition, FEMAS has Sector Notes which provide guidance and additional requirements for FEMAS Participants processing former foodstuffs for use in animal feed. The range of topics covers products, processes and gatekeeping.

UFAS has an activity classification tool and guidance on sampling and testing. TASCC has a range of templates and forms which can be adapted by the participant to suit their needs.

Newsletters are issued twice a year for each Scheme covering topical issues and informing Participants of what is happening within the Scheme and relevant legislation changes.

AIC-Kiwa portal access

The Portal is a useful way for Participants to view their audit reports, update non-conformance actions, and upload documents relevant to their Scheme compliance and access their i-learning modules.

Uploading documents in advance of an audit helps to maximise the usefulness of audit time on site which benefits both the Participant and the auditor.

 

Future

The feed and food assurance Schemes FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS have a long history of developing in line with new market requirements and will do so even more as we look to the future.

As ever, global events will impact these vital Schemes - this includes the geo-political but also new sources of supply, as well as the effects of climate change on feed materials.

Closer to home, AIC Services will maintain its constructive work with the UK Government to develop the Schemes in line with feed and food safety policies.

Other opportunities and challenges to be managed will revolve around how assurance is implemented across the four UK nations, and the ongoing ramifications of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

AIC Services is constantly scanning the horizon and works with all relevant stakeholders to ensure all these factors are fully considered.

All Schemes work with the industry via industry-based committees to ensure that they meet robust technical requirements.

The industry has a wealth of leading experts in these fields which helps FEMAS, TASCC and UFAS remain fit for purpose.

More recently the Standards of these three Schemes have been more closely aligned, aiding even better understanding among Participant businesses.

The value of earned recognition with the UK Government has been upheld for all three Schemes, and this looks set to continue thanks to the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding.

Ensuring an integrated approach to assurance and enforcement is vital to avoid duplication and cost.

AIC Services also works with EU Trade Bodies and also has mutual recognition with a range of EU Schemes.

This helps to ensure that trade between the UK and EU is unhindered and provides and deep cultural understanding of how assurance works in our trading partners.

As well as the Standards, auditing will be developed in line with technological advancements.

A range of audits now exist including on-site, remote, and hybrid - this allows for flexibility both for the Participant and the Scheme's auditing body.

Technology has also been applied in the areas of online portal development to make data provision and exchange easier and more transparent, and this work will advance over the coming years.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will likely bring major change, and we will maintain our work with audited supply chain businesses and certification bodies to make the best use of this technology.

In conclusion, the AIC Services feed and food trade assurance Schemes will continue to develop with the Government and our stakeholders' requirements with strong support from the industry.

External events and the application of technology will be key areas of development both now and in the future.

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