Pig and Poultry farmers set to save at least 500 this year with new combined IPPC and Farm Assurance assessments from NSF-CMi Certification
Following an 18 month pilot project with the Environment Agency on Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC), NSF-CMi Certification has just commenced combined farm assurance/IPPC assessments for members of the pig and poultry farm assurance schemes.
Until now the Environment Agency (EA) has been carrying out at least two IPPC visits a year per site. However with the introduction of the new scheme, if the EA deems the site to be low risk, it will become eligible for a combined farm assurance/IPPC assessment and only one EA visit a year. Assessments by NSF-CMi Certification will be undertaken at the same time as the farms pig or poultry visit and early estimates are that these members will save at least 500 EA in fees this year alone.
At the moment the scheme directly affects pig producers who either have the capacity for more than 750 sows (including gilts) or more than 3,000 production pig spaces (over 30 kgs) and poultry and laying hen producers who have more than 40,000 birds. Outdoor pigs are not included but Free Range poultry is (due to being housed for part of the day).
Roy Boreham, Livestock Operations Manager, commented: NSF-CMi constantly strives to find new incentives that benefit producers. We are delighted to be working with the Environment Agency on a project that provides real monetary benefit to our members and recognises high achieving, professional farming businesses. A reduction in the number of visitors to a unit is also a welcome contribution to good biosecurity.
In excess of 300 of our members are eligible for the combined assessments and have already signed up.
For more information on how NSF-CMi Certification can benefit your business call in to our Stand no: 337 at Pig & Poultry, 11/12 May 2010
About IPPC – Integrated Pollution Prevention ControlThe IPPC scheme is operated by the Environment Agency (EA) and the main purpose is to:Prevent/reduce emissions (to air, land & water)Prevent/reduce noise, odour & vibrationPrevent/reduce wastePrevent/reduce environmental accidentsSite remediationConserve energy.At the moment the scheme directly affects pig producers who either have the capacity for more than 750 sows (including gilts) or more than 3,000 production pig spaces (over 30 kgs) and poultry producers who have more than 40,000 birds. Outdoor pigs are not included but Free Range poultry is (due to being housed for part of the day).There is a scheme year which means that eligible sites will be notified by the EA during February/March time that they can apply. These sites must then notify and contract a certification body within a given period of time and the CB agrees an assessment programme with the EA.Eligible sites will benefit from a cost saving of around 500 if they contract a certification body to carry out a combined assessment.For more information visit:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/IPPC_Assurance_Scheme_Factsheet_v2_100302.pdf