The Farm Quality Assurance Scheme Industry Board has confirmed that fees for participation in the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) will be revised from Wednesday 1st April 2026.
Following consultation with its stakeholders, the board increased its initial application and annual renewal fees for producer members from £95 to £105 (excluding VAT).
Advising FQAS producer members of the change, Colin Smith, chair of the FQAS Industry Board, outlined: “FQAS operates a balanced budget through which it is ensured that income matches expenditure. The £10 uplift to the membership fee is indictive of rising operational costs. These costs are largely characterised by increased certification costs as of April 2025, an uplift to IT costs and standard inflationary pressures.
“Scheme reserves are now at a level where they cannot be depleted further, as such the FQAS Industry Board has decided that a membership fee increase must now be applied to ensure long-term efficient running and sustainability of the Scheme.”
Ensuring FQAS is fit for purpose
In Northern Ireland, the FQAS Industry Board, comprising mainly of farmers and processors, has the power to adapt the Scheme to meet local needs and priorities, and the FQAS Standard Setting Committee similarly comprises of representation from stakeholder organisations. Oversight from both bodies aims to ensure that FQAS remains relevant.
Gillian Davis, head of quality assurance at the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) advised that this year will see a full FQAS standards review completed: “This process will take on board relevant recommendations outlined in the UK Farm Assurance Review to ensure FQAS standards remain fit for purpose. It remains our position that FQAS should provide maximum market access for minimum audit burden.
“Technology will aid in minimising bureaucratic burden, reducing paperwork and making better use of data to improve efficiency. Having said this, we consulted with farming representatives and have taken on board feedback on use of electronic records, we appreciate the need for continuance of a paper copy FQAS Record Book and I can confirm this will be carried forward.”
“Although the FQAS logo is not always visible on some retail packs, it is a baseline requirement for retailer sourcing.”
Gillian Davis, LMC
Davis continued: “For over three decades, FQAS has been the cornerstone of NI beef and lamb marketing, underpinning market access and serving as a pre-requisite for supermarket specifications. Although the FQAS logo is not always visible on some retail packs, it is a baseline requirement for retailer sourcing. The Scheme delivers robust and consistent assurances to consumers, helping to prevent fragmentation and variation in product standards.
“For producer members, FQAS maximises market opportunities and returns. Many of the Scheme requirements are legislative and are areas which all producers should be compliant with. The Scheme provides best practice standards for husbandry, health, welfare, nutrition and environment. This helps to assist farmers with better record keeping and traceability of inputs.
“In addition, LMC invests separate levy funds to actively promote FQAS beef and lamb through a consumer-focused advertising campaign, a wide-reaching education programme, consumer retail sampling, teachers workshops and key consumer engagement events throughout the year.”
