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Join FQAS

Livestock & Meat Commission

Why join FQAS?

  • To widen the marketplace for producers e.g. more and more retailers in both domestic and international markets now require Farm Quality Assured beef and lamb.
  • Cost benefits associated with presenting FQA cattle/sheep for slaughter.
  • Approved members of FQAS are eligible to use the FQAS logo when marketing product.
  • FQAS is a recognised equivalent scheme to Red Tractor and many retailers which use the Red Tractor Logo to market their meat can be readily accessed by NI beef and lamb as a result of this equivalence.
  • Provides best practice standards for husbandry, welfare, nutrition and environment. This helps to assist farmers with better record keeping and traceability of inputs.
  • Helps to prepare for cross-compliance visits.
  • Membership reduces likelihood of selection for statutory inspections for Food and Feed Law.
  • We have a dedicated Farm Liaison Service.
  • Gives customers assurances about the source of the product and the standards under which the animals have been raised.
  • The scheme is represented by all areas of the industry – members of UFU, NIMEA, NBA, NSA, NIAPA, DAERA and LMC all form part of the FQAS Board and Standard Setting Committee.
  • Competitive membership fees in comparison with other schemes in GB.

How to join

This form is an application for registration under the Northern Ireland Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (“the Scheme”).

Please complete this form in BLOCK CAPITALS and submit with the payment. To participate in the Scheme requires full disclosure of all business activities related to the Scheme.

ANY FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION MAY RESULT IN WITHDRAWAL OF PARTICIPATION.

If you are applying for more than one Herd/Flock Number to become FQA you must provide documentary evidence that the Herd/Flock Numbers are operated as one business/partnership e.g. correspondence from DAERA or, if this is not applicable, written confirmation from your accountant showing that all relevant Herd/Flock Numbers are operated as one business.

This must be emailed to info@nifcc.co.uk

Join FQAS

Section A - Farm Business Details

Please enter your six digit flock number (starting with 7)
Please enter your six digit herd number

Flock Number(s)

Herd Number(s)

If more than one farm, are they included on the same Single Application Form (SAF)

Farm Size

Additional holdings including Outfarms & B&B Facilities

plus1 Add another facility minus1 Remove

Approximate Annual Stock Numbers

Approximate Annual Stock Numbers

If you are a participant in any other farm quality assurance scheme, e.g. RT Dairy, Cereals, give details below

plus1 Add Scheme minus1 Remove

Section B - Declaration (last updated: 14/10/22)

  1. I confirm that I have read and understood the Product Standard and Scheme Rules of the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS).
  2. I agree to comply with the NIBL FQAS Product Standard and Rules as they may be amended from time to time.
  3. I understand that any breach of the NIBL FQAS Standard and Rules may lead to my exclusion from the Scheme.
  4. I agree to provide full and accurate information to NIFCC in relation to my application.
  5. I agree to my premises, livestock and records being inspected by NIFCC or its appointed representative at any reasonable time, with or without prior notice.
  6. I agree that records relating to my farm(s), herd(s), flock(s), and stock held by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and other Statutory Bodies may be disclosed to LMC/NIFCC or its appointed representative for purposes in connection with NIBL FQAS.
  7. I agree that samples of animal feed, body fluids, and body tissues may be taken on farm/at slaughter/post slaughter as deemed necessary by LMC/NIFCC or its appointed representative.
  8. I have checked the information given on this form and confirm that it is correct to the best of my knowledge.
  9. I agree to inform NIFCC of any changes in my circumstances to those declared on this form.
  10. I agree to the collection by the farm inspectors of information additional to that required for certification, which may be used by the LMC in accordance with the NIBL FQAS Privacy Policy.
  11. I confirm, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, that I have disclosed all material facts to LMC/NIFCC which might have any bearing on this application and its determination. I confirm that the proposed participant of the Scheme has not been the subject of any prosecution by any relevant authority relating to the following: Food Safety, Grants/Subsidies, Animal Health, Welfare, Identification, Movement or Medicine records or Environmental legislation within the past three years nor is any prosecution pending. I also confirm that the proposed participant has not been convicted of any offence relating to the above legislation within the past three years. I agree that details of any convictions under the legislation referred to above, held by any Statutory Department, may be disclosed to LMC/NIFCC or its appointed representative for purposes in connection with NIBL FQAS. I understand that a failure to disclose any material information required for this application may lead to an immediate suspension or withdrawal of certification. I am the proposed participant of the Scheme or I am duly authorised to sign this application on behalf of the proposed participant.
  12. I acknowledge to pay the application fee of £75.00 + VAT (Total £90.00). I understand that there is no entitlement to a refund once the initial farm inspection has taken place. I acknowledge that any outstanding cancellation fee(s) must be paid before this application can be processed. Any outstanding balance will be provided when the application form is received or by contacting NIFCC before submitting the application.

Section C - Data Protection Policy

Privacy Policy for the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme to understand how your personal data will be processed.

Download policy

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