17 Nov 2023
by Rose Riby, Gillian Barrow, Simon Williams

Progress with European Commission regarding the UK's RED II assurance recognition

AIC is working closely with similarly impacted voluntary schemes - including Red Tractor Assurance and Scottish Quality Crops - to maintain access to the EU market as a valuable outlet for biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II.


Background information


Latest progress

Earlier this month AIC and the other voluntary scheme owners met with the European Commission to address concerns and seek an urgent resolution to mitigate the potential loss of scheme recognition at the end of 2023.

Intense efforts to find a workable solution continue. However, immediate concerns that 31 December represented a "cliff edge" for scheme recognition have been allayed during recent talks with the European Commission.

The UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) continues to make progress on the potential to achieve European accreditation by means of mutual recognition between accreditation bodies. Confirmation of this is expected later this month.

Communication between UK and European voluntary schemes, government officials, trade associations and businesses must now be maintained to achieve a pragmatic outcome for the industry.

AIC Members and Participants will be kept up to date with the latest developments.

Visit AIC’s website for more information, including FAQs.

Authors

Rose Riby

Rose Riby

Head of Combinable Crops and Seed, AIC

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.

Holding a range of BASIS qualifications and coming from a farming background gives Rose a broad view of UK agriculture.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
01733 385279

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Gillian Barrow

Gillian Barrow

Technical Manager, AIC Services

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.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
01733 385274

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Simon Williams

Simon Williams

Technical Manager, AIC Services

Simon Williams is Technical Manager for AIC Services. He is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the FEMAS and UFAS assurance schemes as well as being the key contact for mutual recognition with European scheme owners and managing Earned Recognition relationships with UK feed and food competent authorities.

Previous to his role with AIC, Simon was employed in a variety of technical roles in the food industry covering primary and further processing of meat, breakfast cereals and a product technologist role with a major retailer.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
01733 385245

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