The value of UFAS: Participant case study - Massey Feeds
Animal feed business Massey Feeds talks to the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) about the value of the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS).
UFAS provides an assurance system to ensure that feed destined for UK livestock meets safety requirements defined by legislators and industry.
It is based on HACCP principles, a system originally pioneered by space agency NASA, and forms the bedrock of UK and EU Food and Feed legislation.
Visit the UFAS webpage to find out more.
Key outcomes of UFAS participation
- Protecting customers, businesses, and industry in the areas of feed and food safety
- Valuable external review of internal procedures and processes
- Driving continual improvement
How long has your business been a UFAS Participant?
"We've been scheme Participants for more than 20 years."
Why is your business a UFAS Participant?
"As a feed compounder supplying the livestock sector, we’re an important part of the food supply chain. UFAS sets the standards by which our business operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure both feed and food safety.
"Many of our customers are also members of assurance schemes, which means they require the feed that they buy to be sourced from UFAS assured mills."
How does being a UFAS Participant add value to your business?
"Feed safety is critical - the scheme protects our customers, our business, and our industry. It ensures we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to control feed and food safety risks.
"Regular external independent auditing ensures standards and best practice are maintained."
How does your business find the audit process?
"Whilst audits can be challenging at times, the process is very useful in helping to drive continual improvement across all aspects of the business.
"It is invaluable to have an annual external independent review to help focus attention on areas for further development. Compliance is a key focus across our sites – we recently introduced our own 24-hour notice internal spot check audits."
What are the opportunities and challenges for the future of UK feed assurance?
"We need to continue to play our vital role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the feed and food supply chain.
"We must adapt as relevant legislation and attitudes evolve – the feed industry has changed a significant amount, over the last 20 – 30 years, and we must keep pace with further changes.
"It’s important to make sure UK feed assurance remains practical and avoids becoming overly complex and onerous. Aligning with other assurance schemes avoids unnecessary duplication of auditing.
"Another challenge for our industry is the continuous training of staff, to promote awareness and understanding of the important role we play in the food chain."
Click below to download a PDF copy of this case study.
Become a trade assurance scheme case study
AIC Services is looking for more Participants of its trade assurance schemes to contribute to a series of case studies, promoting the value of assurance in feed, food and fertiliser safety.
If your businesses is a Participant of the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS), Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS), Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC), or Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS), and you would like to find out more about being a featured as a case study, please email AIC Communications Manager Oli Hill ([email protected]) to register your interest or contact Kiwa UK.