The second UK FAR (Farm Assurance Review) monitoring report, based on evidence from 33 organisations, shows that while many schemes are engaging constructively and introducing improvements, progress against the 56 recommendations is “steady but uneven”.
Responding to the findings, the unions said: “Our organisations continue to work hard on multiple aspects of the report’s recommendations to ensure Britain’s farmers and growers have a greater voice in the development of farm assurance standards.
“Although good progress has been made, several areas highlighted within the report still require urgent action.”
Two priority areas
“This review marks a vital reset moment to build a modern assurance framework fit for purpose.”
UK farming unions’ statement
The report identifies two priority areas where progress remains significantly behind expectations: reform in the combinable crops sector and the development of a coherent approach to environmental measurement.
In the crops sector, farmers continue to question the value of assurance, with concerns that assured status is not recognised beyond the farm gate and delivers little commercial return. At the same time, growers report being undercut by imports produced to lower standards.
“Issues within the combinable crops sector also need to be addressed with structural changes urgently needed to abandon the one-size-fits-all approach and lift the unsustainable audit burden on our growers,” the UK’s farming union leaders said.
Challenges on environmental standards
The monitoring report also highlights ongoing challenges around environmental standards and reporting. It notes the absence of a unified, industry-led framework, with increasing pressure on assurance schemes to take on a role they were not designed to fulfil.
The four UK farming unions stressed the importance of getting this right: “On environmental measurement, we must reach a consensus around an industry-led approach and ensure reporting has a clear purpose, provides genuine value, and involves farmers and growers from day one.
“We will continue to engage with the industry and the wider supply chain to make the changes happen that we all want to see.”
Lack of government engagement
Government engagement is another area of concern. While devolved administrations have shown varying levels of involvement, the report describes Defra’s limited participation as a “missed opportunity”, raising questions about leadership in England.
“The government also needs to urgently step up and recognise the value of farm assurance and its role in providing high quality, British food,” the UK farming union leaders added. “It must ensure that our farmers and growers are not unfairly forced to compete with imported products that would be illegal to produce here, and establish the fair, transparent marketplace our farmers and growers deserve.”
Progress is being made
Despite these challenges, both the report and industry leaders recognise that progress is being made. Many organisations have taken steps to improve governance, standards and communication, and there is a clear willingness to continue reform.
To support this, a joint report assessing the scope and purpose of farm assurance was also issued today. This clearly differentiates between the levels of assurance and focuses on the need for the schemes to be proportionate and practical for farmers to deliver real value.
The UK farming union leaders concluded: “This review marks a vital reset moment to build a modern assurance framework fit for purpose and the four UK farming unions remain committed to the important role assurance plays in underpinning the safety, traceability and quality of food produced on British farms.”
The monitoring process will continue to be published openly, providing transparency as the sector works to deliver meaningful change for farmers and growers across the UK.
