A comprehensive UK-wide review of farm assurance systems has called for a significant reset to restore farmer confidence and improve the effectiveness of assurance schemes.

The report, conducted independently by four commissioners on behalf of the UK farming unions and the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), highlights that while farm assurance is critical to the future of farming and essential for consumer confidence, the current system needs major reforms to address mounting dissatisfaction among farmers.
The nine-month review collected evidence from all parts of the UK food supply chain, revealing widespread concerns, particularly about the UK-wide schemes.
While farmers in devolved areas, such as Scotland, expressed more satisfaction with their assurance schemes, the review acknowledges that there are areas across the UK where improvements can be made.
This nuanced approach recognises where current systems work well but stresses that significant changes are needed to rebuild farmer trust and confidence.
The review outlines nine strategic recommendations, aimed at simplifying and streamlining the current farm assurance system. Key suggestions include reducing on-farm audits, embracing technology to modernise the system, and ensuring farmers have a central role in developing standards.
Additionally, it calls for a new industry-led initiative to establish environmental goals for farm assurance and greater collaboration between assurance schemes across the UK.
The report also urges that farm assurance should better support farmers, making sure they are compensated for their efforts in meeting high standards and complying with complex regulations.
In his comments, Dr David Llewellyn, Lead Commissioner, explained the need for an essential reset of farm assurance, saying: “This is the first fundamental look at UK farm assurance since it was established in the 1990s. So much has changed over the last 30 years and we know that further change is on the horizon for the farming industry.
“Farm assurance must be a critical part of that future. However, for that to happen, significant changes are needed to win back farmer confidence where it has been lost, to build on what already works well and to secure a competitive edge for UK farming on the world stage.”
Dr Llewellyn continued, “We found competing interests and ambitions for the farm assurance system. Over time, that has added complexity and stress for farmers, many of whom now struggle to identify any real benefits to their business. Worse still, many feel they live in a permanent state of jeopardy with ‘make or break’ audits determining whether their businesses can operate or not.
“The reality is that too many farmers feel farm assurance is ‘done to them’ rather than ‘delivered with them’. It should be better than this.”
The review also stressed that farm assurance must evolve in response to modern challenges. The findings highlighted that schemes in devolved nations, particularly Scotland, have fostered more positive relationships between farmers and administrators.
Dr Llewellyn observed: “We believe there are lessons to be learned from devolved nations where schemes work better together and where they seem to have a more constructive relationship with farmers.”
Jonnie Hall, NFU Scotland’s deputy CEO, echoed the need for reform: “Essentially, what we are looking at is a fundamental reset of farm assurance in the UK to ensure it works for the entire supply chain, not least the primary producer and the end consumer.”
The review’s findings have been met with widespread support across the farming sector. AHDB, which commissioned the review, expressed optimism about the potential for meaningful change.
“This review marks a significant step forward for farm assurance, and we are optimistic about the opportunities it presents for meaningful change across the agricultural industry,” said the organisation.
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