Digital Passport (Combinable Crops): AIC Members provide valuable feedback on business case
Throughout the industry-wide consultation period on the Digital Passport for Combinable Crops business case, AIC has engaged with its Members and Assurance Scheme Participants within relevant sectors, ensuring everyone has had an opportunity to feed into this process. The consultation closed on 2 February 2024.
A wide range of submissions have been received via AIC’s online Digital Passport hub, via a webinar and working group meetings, as well as through discussions at relevant AIC committee meetings. The views shared are both complex and broad-ranging.
Amongst the feedback is a degree of support for the digitisation of the current grain passport, and for the business case. There are also concerns relating to some of the points covered within the business case.
These include the availability of mobile signal to support crop collection, questions over the accuracy of the cost (to set up and run the digitalisation, as well as the perceived benefits set out in the business case), the technical capability of some growers and hauliers to use apps on smartphones, along with further detailed questions regarding the operational side of the proposal.
Efficient supply chains
At January’s meeting of the AIC Policy Forum, which includes representation from AIC Sector Chairs, it was noted that part of AIC’s role is to support efficient and effective supply chains in UK agriculture, engaging wherever and whenever the industry is presented with, or is considering, change.
Since AIC’s formation, a core function has been to look to the future and help ensure supply chains are sufficiently prepared to work smoothly for the collective benefit of UK agriculture.
AIC has supported the principle of a Digital Passport for more than a decade.
Next steps
In considering the wide range of responses to the business case consultation, AIC’s Policy Forum recognised that it is vital for the Digital Passport Leadership Group to have a clear understanding of all the industry stakeholder views on the proposal.
Given this, making appropriate changes to the business case in recognition of the responses to the consultation will be a crucial next step.
A revised business case will then need to be examined by the cross-industry data group and development group next month to ensure that any proposed amendments are pragmatic, feasible and robust.
AIC understands that the Digital Passport (Combinable Crops) Leadership Group will then need to reach consensus on the following options:
- Present a revised business case to the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector council for a decision on the funding of a Digital Passport to be taken;
- Hold a further industry-wide consultation on the suggested changes made to the business case.
AIC Members and scheme Participants will be kept up to date with developments.
Visit the AHDB website for further information on the Digital Passport (Combinable Crops).
Authors
Rose Riby
Rose Riby is Head of Combinable Crops and Seed. Having worked across these sectors for many years, she has a depth and breadth of experience in roles in grain trading, plant breeding and knowledge exchange at AHDB.
James McCulloch
Gillian Barrow
Gill Barrow is Technical Manager for AIC Services. Gill is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the AIC assurance scheme TASCC.