13 MAY 2016

ICSA president Patrick Kent has reiterated his demands that the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) be made more farmer friendly. “As it stands, livelihoods are being put at risk due to farmers being suddenly and unexpectedly thrown out of the scheme, leaving them unable to sell stock. It is ICSA’s position that no farmer should be thrown out of the scheme overnight.  All farmers should have a period of grace to rectify any shortcomings and they should be entitled to a second audit with a different auditor if they choose.”

Terms and conditions for the scheme are currently being updated and ICSA has met with Bord Bia officials to outline its proposals for the scheme going forward. However, as Mr Kent points out “The terms for QAS have become more and more onerous over time without delivering any real benefit to farmers. This has led to huge frustration and anger amongst participants of the scheme who see all their efforts amount to very little in real terms.”

Continuing, Mr Kent said “ICSA is opposed to the idea that additional terms and conditions be introduced to scheme. QAS is already complicated enough and simplification is what’s required at this point. Unfortunately, following our talks with Bord Bia, there may well be more hurdles for farmers to jump. I would caution that any attempt to further burden farmers when there is nothing in it for them will ultimately lead to a total loss of confidence in the scheme.”

ENDS