Farm Quality Assurance

Livestock & Meat Commission

The Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS) is owned by the Livestock & Meat Commission for Northern Ireland on behalf of the Beef and Sheep meat industry.

The Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme was developed to give consumers assurances about the farm end of the production chain of their food. It is about farm quality – the quality of the production methods used, the quality of care for animals which is practiced, the quality of the farm environment, and above all the quality of concern for the customer in producing beef and lamb which is wholesome, safe and free from unnatural substances.

LMC appoint a Certification Body to independently verify that producers are adhering to the required Standards of the scheme. The Certification Body is accredited to the European Procedures Standard ISO 17065 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS). Currently NIFCC (Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification) operate the certification system for the NIBL FQAS.

NIBL FQAS is one of the longest established of all the farm quality assurance schemes, not only in the UK but probably worldwide, and is one of the strongest tools that the beef and sheep meat industries can have for marketing their products.

FQA Helpline: (028) 9263 3024