To appeal to a wider or alternative customer base and retail market, as a grower you may be required to meet certain requirements. Although common for supply into large retailers and food processors, many smaller wholesalers and specialist shops are now requiring growers to be certified to a recognised agricultural standard as a way to demonstrate their commitment to food safety, the environment or organic status. Certification to a recognised agricultural standard can be seen as getting a foot into a prospective customers door.

The Farm Assurance Training Series is a collection of webinars, training and support aimed at growers considering applying for agricultural standards or schemes. Training was delivered by industry expert, Malcom Laidlaw from ML3 Technical.

In addition to the webinar series and the virtual advice surgeries, Malcom has the capacity to assist a small number of growers through the Red Tractor application process. If you are considering applying to Red Tractor and would like this level of support please contact us at tyfucymru@lantra.co.uk to register your interest.

Webinars

Introduction to Agricultural Standards and Schemes for Commercial Horticulture Production

This introductory webinar will be an overview of what an agricultural standard is, the main standards in the UK (Red Tractor, M&S Select Farm, LEAF, Soil Association etc) and will cover Global G.A.P for those that may want to export. It will give growers an insight into different requirements, the pros and cons of each scheme and will offer an opportunity to have your questions answered by an industry expert.

Click here to view this webinar

HACCP for Farmers and Growers

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a very common term in the food industry that addresses managing food hygiene and safety procedures in your food business.

This webinar will cover:

  • What is HACCP?
  • What is food safety and where do hazards come from?
  • What is a risk assessment?
  • Critical Control Points and what control measures you should have in place

Click here to view this webinar

Microbiology for Farmers

Farming isn’t the first thing you think of when you talk about bacteria, but they are present everywhere – in soil, water, the air and in animals and on our skin.

This webinar will be a discussion around why farmers should have a basic understanding of microbiology. It will cover:

  • The typical sources of the microorganism
  • Effects microorganisms can have
  • Sampling and how to understand results

Click here to view Factsheet

Traceability for Farmers and Growers

In this day and age, information is at people’s fingertips and there is an increase in consumers demanding traceability back to fields or animals.

This webinar will cover why traceability is not only required from a legal point of view, but also from a customer relation and business perspective. This session will explore different scenarios, including what is expected to be recorded and what type of evidence you may be asked for either as part of a trace, or for due diligence defence.

Click here to view Factsheet