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Earned Recognition: FSA approved assurance schemes
Earned Recognition aims to reduce the burden for compliant businesses by enabling Competent Authorities to focus their food and feed official controls on those that are less compliant.
We have introduced a reduced inspection frequency (Earned Recognition) for compliant businesses who are members of Food Standard Agency (FSA) approved assurance schemes in the areas of primary production (2006), dairy hygiene (2011) and animal feed (2014).
When an assurance scheme is approved, compliant members of that scheme are able to benefit from Earned Recognition on the basis that they are taking positive action to reduce risks and comply with legislative requirements, through a third-party certification process.
Approved assurance schemes
Agricultural Industries Confederation
Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that works on behalf of members in the agricultural supply sector. AIC represents a variety of sectors within the feed industry and manages several assurance schemes.
AIC has three schemes that are approved by us:
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
AIC operates to a Memorandum of Understanding with the FSA, Food Standards Scotland and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Red Tractor Assurance
Red Tractor Assurance (RTA) is a whole chain assurance scheme which operate standards at farm and post farm-gate covering food safety, traceability, animal welfare and environmental protection.
RTA also operate a licensing scheme for food businesses who wish to make a Red Tractor claim. Further information on RTA licencing requirements can be found on their website.
RTA has six schemes that are approved by us:
- Beef and Lamb
- Crops and Sugar Beet
- Dairy
- Fresh produce
- Pigs
- Poultry
RTA operates to a Memorandum of Understanding with the FSA.
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland
The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) is an Executive Non Departmental Public Body, established under the 1967 Livestock Marketing Commission Act. It serves as the statutory body responsible for supporting, promoting and assuring the quality of Northern Ireland’s beef and sheep meat sectors.
LMC has one scheme that is approved by us:
LMC operates to a Memorandum of Understanding with FSA in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland
Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers
Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP) is a farmer-controlled agricultural co-operative society of over 7,000 Welsh Farmers. WLBP strives to strengthen consumer confidence by providing assurance of farm standards through the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL) Scheme.
WLBP has one scheme that is approved by us:
- Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL) scheme
WLBP, operates to a Memorandum of Understanding with FSA in Wales.
Wales
Approved assurance scheme verification
To ensure continued compliance and confidence after approval of an assurance scheme for earned recognition, we verify compliance with our criteria for earned recognition.
Enforcement authorities check a percentage of assurance scheme members to verify business compliance. These verifications enable us to have confidence in the assurance scheme and their approved scheme status.
Enforcement authority exception reporting
When an enforcement authority removes Earned Recognition from a business, they should notify the FSA as soon as possible using the exception report form.
This information is important in helping us carry out our verification role of approved assurance schemes.
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Read our exception reports privacy notice.
Revision log
Published: 16 May 2018
Last updated: 20 April 2026