Menu
06/06/2008
Farmers 'Notebook' To Lessen Paperwork Burden
A campaign to advise farmers that legislation that requires record keeping of on-farm activities need not be too much of a burden has been launched.
The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) has explained this can be achieved in a simple and easy way, without adding to farmers' administrative burden.
Their campaign called 'Take Note' encourages farmers to keep records that will help them more easily comply with food and feed hygiene legislation.
Beginning their campaign with the Ballymoney Agricultural Show, today and tomorrow, FSANI is distributing 'Farm Notes' - a notebook that will help farmers to keep appropriate records.
They said this pocket-sized notebook has been designed for farmers to keep with them on the farm and record activities as they happen.
Farm Notes includes useful information such as the importance and benefits of record keeping such as information on type of records required; examples of records; advice on simplifying record keeping and also includes calendars for forward planning.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Gerard Smyth, Senior Policy Officer from FSANI, said: "This initiative aims to raise awareness with all farmers and growers of the requirement to keep records. It is primarily, but not exclusively, targeted at the smaller farmer and at farmers who are not part of farm quality assurance schemes.
"Inspections at farm level have shown that deficiencies in record keeping are more likely to be found with the smaller non quality assured farm. In the past year, a significant proportion of such farms having primary production hygiene inspections were found to have inadequate records.
"While the focus is on producers who do not currently keep records, this notebook will be of use to everyone. It will be useful for recording all types of information relevant to good management practice, and can be used out and around the farm by all farmers and growers."
During the design phase of the campaign, FSANI consulted with colleagues in the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMCNI) and the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
Ulster Farmers' Union President Graham Furey said: "We are pleased to see that the Food Standards Agency have produced this resource to help farmers.
"We are always trying to keep farm paperwork to a minimum, but when we are dealing with necessary legislation our task is to keep record keeping as simple and stress free as possible. By using this notebook, farmers can make timely and accurate records and I think the notebook will be a helpful resource for farmers."
As well as Ballymoney, the Agency will also take this message to farmers at a number of other provincial agricultural shows, such as Castlewellan and Clogher Valley, on 19 and 30 July respectively.
Farmers attending these events will have the chance to speak to staff about record keeping and can also pick up a copy of Farm Notes free of charge from the FSANI stand at the shows.
As well as promoting messages to farmers at these events, staff will also be on hand to publicise the Agency’s front-of-pack traffic light labelling scheme, which helps consumers identify at a glance whether a food contains high, medium or low amounts of salt, fat, saturated fat and sugar using the red, amber and green traffic light colours.
(BMcC)
The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) has explained this can be achieved in a simple and easy way, without adding to farmers' administrative burden.
Their campaign called 'Take Note' encourages farmers to keep records that will help them more easily comply with food and feed hygiene legislation.
Beginning their campaign with the Ballymoney Agricultural Show, today and tomorrow, FSANI is distributing 'Farm Notes' - a notebook that will help farmers to keep appropriate records.
They said this pocket-sized notebook has been designed for farmers to keep with them on the farm and record activities as they happen.
Farm Notes includes useful information such as the importance and benefits of record keeping such as information on type of records required; examples of records; advice on simplifying record keeping and also includes calendars for forward planning.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Gerard Smyth, Senior Policy Officer from FSANI, said: "This initiative aims to raise awareness with all farmers and growers of the requirement to keep records. It is primarily, but not exclusively, targeted at the smaller farmer and at farmers who are not part of farm quality assurance schemes.
"Inspections at farm level have shown that deficiencies in record keeping are more likely to be found with the smaller non quality assured farm. In the past year, a significant proportion of such farms having primary production hygiene inspections were found to have inadequate records.
"While the focus is on producers who do not currently keep records, this notebook will be of use to everyone. It will be useful for recording all types of information relevant to good management practice, and can be used out and around the farm by all farmers and growers."
During the design phase of the campaign, FSANI consulted with colleagues in the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMCNI) and the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
Ulster Farmers' Union President Graham Furey said: "We are pleased to see that the Food Standards Agency have produced this resource to help farmers.
"We are always trying to keep farm paperwork to a minimum, but when we are dealing with necessary legislation our task is to keep record keeping as simple and stress free as possible. By using this notebook, farmers can make timely and accurate records and I think the notebook will be a helpful resource for farmers."
As well as Ballymoney, the Agency will also take this message to farmers at a number of other provincial agricultural shows, such as Castlewellan and Clogher Valley, on 19 and 30 July respectively.
Farmers attending these events will have the chance to speak to staff about record keeping and can also pick up a copy of Farm Notes free of charge from the FSANI stand at the shows.
As well as promoting messages to farmers at these events, staff will also be on hand to publicise the Agency’s front-of-pack traffic light labelling scheme, which helps consumers identify at a glance whether a food contains high, medium or low amounts of salt, fat, saturated fat and sugar using the red, amber and green traffic light colours.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2004
UK bird numbers at their lowest since records began
Bird numbers across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have stabilised – but are at their lowest point since record keeping began. This is the verdict of the 2003 report State of the UK's Birds, published today by three bird conservation charities: the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.
UK bird numbers at their lowest since records began
Bird numbers across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have stabilised – but are at their lowest point since record keeping began. This is the verdict of the 2003 report State of the UK's Birds, published today by three bird conservation charities: the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.
22 August 2012
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
14 March 2011
Long Backs World's Longest Banner
A local MP has gone 'Green' - but not in preparation for this week's St Patrick's Day celebrations - instead Naomi Long MP is backing an eco-friendly Fairtrade initiative.
Long Backs World's Longest Banner
A local MP has gone 'Green' - but not in preparation for this week's St Patrick's Day celebrations - instead Naomi Long MP is backing an eco-friendly Fairtrade initiative.
24 May 2011
Farmers Keeping Business 'In The Family'
Farmers in NI are still following tradition and passing on their farms to their children and their descendants.
Farmers Keeping Business 'In The Family'
Farmers in NI are still following tradition and passing on their farms to their children and their descendants.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
