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Publication Scheme
This Publication Scheme follows the model that has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner.
This page also shows the information we produce as part of our public task, as required under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.
The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) makes information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by LMC. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.
The scheme commits LMC:
- To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by LMC and falls within the classifications below.
- To specify the information which is held by LMC, and falls within the classifications below.
- To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
- To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
- To review and update on a regular basis the information LMC makes available under this scheme.
- To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
- To make this publication scheme available to the public.
Classes of Information
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Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
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What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
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What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
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How we make decisions
Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
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Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
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Lists and Registers
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of LMC.
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The services we offer
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.
The classes of information will not generally include:
- Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
- Information in draft form.
- Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.
The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available
LMC will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained.
Where it is within the capability of LMC, information will be provided on our website www.lmcni.com. Where it is impracticable to make information available on our website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, LMC will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where LMC is legally required to translate any information, it will do so.
Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.
Written Requests
Information held by LMC that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing (this includes letter, e-mail, social media and via web) when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Charges which may be made for Information published under this scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by LMC for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge. Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
- Photocopying
- Postage and packaging
- The costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) Publication Scheme
Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act places a legal duty on Public Authorities to adopt and maintain a scheme relating to the publication of information by any authority that has gained approval from the Information Commissioner, whose office was set up to ensure compliance with the requirements of the act.
Every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and whether or not a charge will be levied for the information. The publication scheme is a living document, which is modified and developed in accordance with public interest, topical issues and the day to day work of the Institute.
Our publication scheme is based on the Model Publication Scheme that has been drawn up by the Information Commissioner for all public sector organisations. You can access information through our website by following the links via classes of information set out below.
LMC are committed to transparency and endeavour to comply with the requirements set out in The Freedom of Information Act 2000.
If you have searched the Publication Scheme and have not found the information you are looking for you can ask for information through the following legislation:
- Freedom of Information (FOI) Act- Applications for information must be in writing – this includes email.
- Environmental Information Request – Applications for information can be in writing or verbally by phone or in person.
In certain circumstances you may be required to pay a fee before the information can be provided.
When requesting information please include the following details:
- your name and address
- the information you would like to access
- the way you would like the information to be sent to you (for example as hard copy, via email, etc.)
FOI requests may be submitted to LMC’s Corporate Governance Manger, details can be found in the contacts section of the website.
Our Privacy Policy in relation to requests for information under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 can be read here.
Who we are and what we do
The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, which was established by Statute (The Livestock Marketing Commission Act [Northern Ireland] 1967) to assist the development of the livestock and livestock products industries. LMC’s sponsor body is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). LMC collects statutory levies from beef and sheep producers and slaughterers in Northern Ireland and in return provides a range of services to the industry. LMC also advises DAERA on matters relating to the sector.
LMC has four main areas of work:
1
Provision of the Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme
2
Market Information Services
3
Education & Consumer Promotion Services
4
Industry Development Services
Our Vision
Our vision is for a sustainable and profitable future for the Northern Ireland beef and sheep meat industry at all levels of the supply chain.
LMC Board
Details of the responsibilities of the LMC Board and its members.
Location and Contact Details
Livestock & Meat Commission for Northern Ireland
Lissue Industrial Estate (East)
1A Lissue Walk
Lisburn
BT28 2LU
Telephone: 028 9263 3000
Fax: 028 9263 3001
Our Mission
Our mission is to support, examine and inform the marketing and development of the Northern Ireland beef and sheep meat industry.
LMC Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)
Details of the responsibilities of the LMC ARAC and its members.
Legislation and Regulations relevant to LMC
The Livestock Marketing Commission Act [Northern Ireland] 1967
What we spend and how we spend it
Annual Report and Accounts
LMC’s Annual Reports and Statements of Accounts are published online.
Procurement Procedures
LMC’s procurement procedures are detailed in the Management Statement and Financial Memorandum (MSFM). Procurement over the designated threshold is undertaken by Central Procurement Directorate on behalf of LMC see Department of Finance website https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement
Information access
Accessing information which is not included in the Publication Scheme
As an open and transparent organisation, we are committed to routinely publishing as much information as possible. If you want information which is not on our website or otherwise available through our guide to information you may ask us for it in accordance with further provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Requests for such information should be sent to the Corporate Governance Manager.
By law, we have to deal with such requests within 20 working days. If you make a request and are not satisfied with the way in which we deal with it, you may ask us to review any decision we make. If you wish us to undertake such a review you should write to LMC’s Chief Executive Officer.
Any review will normally be under the control and direction of a senior member of LMC staff who had no involvement in the original decision or process.
If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may complain to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 if you prefer to use a national rate number
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme
The Freedom of Information Act and the associated Fees Regulations stipulate that we cannot levy a fee for information unless there is a statutory basis for doing so or the amount of time taken to locate the information exceeds 18 hours. However, we are allowed to charge for disbursements related to the provision of information and any reformatting requested by the applicant, provided we ensure that applicants are aware of any charges which may be made.
Wherever possible, we shall aim to make information available free of charge. The exceptions are:
- when a cover charge is indicated for a printed document
- when substantial resources are required to respond to a request
LMC does not charge for documents downloaded from its website. However, the user will have to meet any charges by their internet service provider and personal printing costs. For those without Internet access, a single printout from the website will be available by post from the Corporate Governance Manager. Multiple printouts or archived copies of documents which are no longer available on the website may warrant a charge to cover the cost of photocopying and postage. We will let you know this at the time of your request. Any charge will be payable in advance.
The services we offer
Industry Development Department:
The largest proportion of the Industry Development budget has been allocated to allow LMC to manage the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS). Demand remains strong for quality assured beef and lamb in all of the industry’s key markets and therefore it is important that LMC continues to effectively manage the scheme on behalf of the industry. LMC engages closely with its stakeholders on FQAS matters through an Industry Board and Standard Setting Committee, which LMC hosts and facilitates. A significant budget will be allocated to projects designed to educate industry customers and end consumers on the merits of FQAS beef and lamb, to inform consumers about the industry and its products and to promote positive attributes of this produce to consumers. The remaining Industry Development budget has been allocated to research, knowledge and productivity improvement initiatives that help ensure primary producers have the capacity and capability to develop the production base efficiently and sustainably and in line with market specifications.
Market Information Department:
LMC’s Market Information Services are designed to support, examine and inform the NI beef and sheep meat industry and wider industry stakeholders. The services aspire to support producers and processors with their decision making by making available accurate and timely information that creates a better understanding of the trade. LMC is committed to creating an environment where our stakeholders are well-informed whether this is through the provision of basic statistics, further analysis / examination of this data or the delivery of information through events like conferences and seminars. The largest components of expenditure under the Market Information budget are in the assembling and communicating of essential market information and supporting foundation work for the development of beef and sheep meat export market opportunities.
Communications
Cross cutting across all of LMC’s work areas is the important issue of timely, accurate and effective communications. LMC continues to review on an on-going basis how we communicate across all of the platforms available to us and a specific business objective for 2019-20 is enhancing LMC communications with internal and external stakeholders.
Topical information
Press releases
Here you will find press releases produced by or on behalf of LMC for your own personal use.
Publications
Here you will find publications produced by or on behalf of LMC for your own personal use.