ABM provides the answers
Here you will find the answers to many frequently asked questions about ABM, beef and lamb assurance, the Red Tractor logo and the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark.
ABOUT ABM
What is ABM?
What do the standards cover?
What schemes are covered by ABM Assurance?
Who does ABM Inspections?
Who are CMi, SAI Global-FABBL, SAI Global-EFSIS, PAI, SGS and NIFCC?
Does it matter which certification bodies are chosen?
Do all the certification bodies charge the same for ABM membership?
Is ABM yet another farm assurance scheme that farmers have to join?
If a farmer is a member of FABBL do they have join ABM too?
How often are ABM inspections carried out?
What are the benefits of being ABM assured?
How does ABM communicate with its members?
Who does ABM represent members to?
How does ABM help members pass inspections?
Where can more information on ABM be found?
Will livestock get a better price if ABM assured?
How do businesses join ABM?
Why is assurance important to consumers?
ABOUT RED TRACTOR LOGO
What is the Red Tractor logo?
How is the Red Tractor mark controlled?
How many companies are currently allowed to use the Red Tractor logo on their food?
Where can Red Tractor food be purchased?
How is the Red Tractor being promoted to the public?
What is the link between ABM and the Red Tractor?
Does beef and lamb from a farm assured to ABM standards qualify for the Red Tractor Logo?
Can the Red Tractor logo be applied to beef and lamb sold in a farm shop?
Where can more information on the Red Tractor be found?
How can the industry help spread the Red Tractor message?
ABOUT EBLEX QUALITY STANDARD MARK
What is the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark (QSM)?
Why does the EBLEX QSM have an eating quality requirement?
How does beef andlamb become eligible to carry the EBLEX QSM?
How many outlets use the EBLEX QSM?
Can the EBLEX QSM be applied to beef and lamb sold in a farm shop?
Where can EBLEX QSM beef and lamb be purchased?
How is the QSM being promoted to consumers?
Where can more information on the EBLEX QSM befound?
ABOUT ABM
What is ABM?
Assured British Meat (ABM) is the beef and lamb assurance scheme of the red tractor responsible for setting beef and lamb assurance standards for farms, transport, markets and abattoirs. ABM then licenses all the standards to certification bodies who can then inspect and certify against them. ABM promotes the benefits of ‘whole chain’ assurance to producers and business’s within the beef and lamb supply chain.
What do the standards cover?
ABM standards cover three main areas; food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. Our aim is to provide standards which are clear, concise and easy to understand and which can be audited by an inspector.
What schemes are covered by ABM Assurance?
ABM provides ‘whole chain’ beef and lamb assurance covering farms, transport, markets and abattoirs, cutting and packaging plants. For more information on each of the schemes visit our website where there is an area dedicated to each sector.
Who does ABM Inspections?
For all ABM schemes members there is a choice of inspectors:
Farms - CMi, SAI Global-FABBL and PAI.
Transport – CMi, SAI Global-FABBL and in Northern Ireland, NIFCC
Livestock Markets – CMi, SAI Global-FABBL, PAI and in Northern Ireland, NIFCC
Abattoirs and processors – CMi, SAI Global-EFSIS, PAI and SGS
Who are CMi, SAI Global-FABBL, SAI Global-EFSIS, PAI, SGS and NIFCC?
They are certification bodies who inspect and certify that businesses meet the ABM standards. They are independent commercial companies to whom the farmer, haulier, auctioneer or processor applies and who employ the inspectors and certification managers to oversee the delivery of assurance.
Does it matter which certification bodies are chosen?
No, not in terms of performance as ABM monitors all licensed certification bodies closely to ensure they inspect and certify to the ABM standards in accordance with set procedures and to check they all operate consistently. In addition, each certification body is annually assessed by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) who are responsible for accrediting them to EN45011.
Do all the certification bodies charge the same for ABM membership?
Not necessarily as they are commercial companies and it is up to them to set their fees so it is always worth phoning around to check current prices.
Is ABM yet another farm assurance scheme that farmers have to join?
No, not if you are already assured through a recognised scheme. If you are inspected and certified by CMI, SAI Global-FABBL or PAI then you are already a member of ABM.
If a farmer is a member of FABBL do they have join ABM too?
No. FABBL members are already part of ABM as SAI Global-FABBL use the ABM beef and lamb farm standards.
How often are ABM inspections carried out?
ABM Farm inspections are carried out at least every 18 months which allows the inspector to see the farm throughout the seasons. All other ABM schemes (transport, livestock markets and abattoirs) are subject to an annual inspection. For all sectors, once the inspection criteria has been successfully passed, the certification body will issue a certificate of conformity which will cover the farm for a year until their membership renewal. ABM farms will also receive a set of assurance stickers to use on cattle passports and delivery documentation.
What are the benefits of being ABM assured?
Increased demand for Red Tractor and EBELX Quality Standard Mark (QSM) assured products - the demand for products carrying these consumer logos is increasing from retailers, local independent butchers, caterers and suppliers to local government agencies (eg schools, NHS etc).
Preferential prices for assured cattle and sheep – the 2006 assurance price benefit report from EBLEX found that farm assured cattle showed an average price differential of 7.11p/kg equating to £40.88 per head compared to non-assured whilst for sheep, farm assured new season lamb generated an average 1.86p/kg differential and old season lamb 0.71p/kg. See for more information.
Fewer enforcement inspections – assured businesses are recognised by some enforcement agencies as lower risk.
Helps demonstrate due diligence and address some of the requirements of Cross Compliance
How does ABM communicate with its members?
ABM produces a twice-yearly newsletter mailed to all members containing the latest ABM scheme developments, information about the Red Tractor and other stories relating to the beef and lamb supply chain.
The ABM website is updated regularly with the latest useful information including leaflets, newsletters, consultations and company information. There is also a ‘members help’ area on the website which contains information for farm members including everything needed for inspection from blank record forms to electronic copies of the required and recommended publications. This is also replicated on the CD “ABM – providing the answers” so farm members have access to the information off-line. This area is being expanded to provide members help for ABM hauliers, livestock markets and abattoirs.
Assured livestock markets are sent 2 free ABM Assured Market signs to display on site and further signs are available at an extra cost. Assured hauliers are sent a free Assured Livestock Transport sticker to attach to each vehicle.
Who does ABM represent members to?
ABM is a proactive organisation representing its members to a wide range of stakeholders including DEFRA, Food Standards Agency (FSA), Local Authorities, industry Trade Associations, e.g. Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA), retailers, consumer groups, animal welfare and environmental organisations and many more. We feel strongly that the standards to which ABM members work are clearly understood and recognised by all.
How does ABM help members pass inspections?
All ABM scheme standards are written in a format which is clear and easy to understand with relevant records and templates clearly identified.
Every member of the ABM farm scheme will receive a copy of the Beef and Lamb Farm Assurance Standards. They highlight where a standard is also a requirement under cross compliance and provide farmers with self check boxes, which are ideal to go through before the real inspection. The standards also provide worked examples of all the records and policies required on the farm so farmers can see what is needed. All these required records are available as blank templates together with electronic versions of the required publications on the free ‘ABM – Providing the answers’ CD-Rom and the members help section of the ABM website
Where can more information on ABM be found?
The company website, is the best place to go. It has all the latest company information and current standards for all four schemes. The website also provides information on how ABM sets the standards, the assurance and the benefits of assurance to farm, transport, markets and abattoirs as well as assurance checkers which allow the industry to check whether a business is assured or not.
Will livestock get a better price if ABM assured?
Being ABM assured does not guarantee a price premium, however the 2005 and 2006 assurance price benefit report from EBLEX found that farm assured livestock received an advantageous price differential in the market. The 2006 report found that cattle showed an average price differential of 7.11p/kg equating to £40.88 per head compared to non-assured whilst for sheep, farm assured new season lamb generated an average 1.86p/kg differential and old season lamb 0.71p/kg. See for more information
How do businesses join ABM?
To join ABM you need to choose a certification body. On the ABM website go to the “How to become ABM assured” section of the scheme you are interested in, click on the “contact certification bodies” button and enter contact details. Each certification body will send you an information pack with everything you need to become an ABM member including their pricing structure and an application form. Alternatively you can call them to request an information pack – contact details for all are available on the website or on the ABM leaflet ‘Are you farm assured?’ which are available from livestock markets or abattoirs or if you wish you can contact ABM directly either by email at or on 01908 844315 and we will pass your details on to them.
Decide which company you wish to get your assurance through and complete the application form together with payment.
Why is assurance important to consumers?
All consumers want to know that the food they buy is safe and this only comes from knowing where the raw ingredients come from and the standards to which they are produced. Assurance provides this through independent inspections which the consumer can trust.
ABOUT RED TRACTOR LOGO
What is the Red Tractor logo?
The Red Tractor logo appears on food retail packs to highlight to the consumer that the product is “assured” and the Union flag in the Red Tractor logo shows that the food is produced and packed in the UK. As well as beef and lamb it is also on chicken, pork, fruit, vegetables and dairy products all of which have their own assurance standards checked by independent farm inspections.
How is the Red Tractor mark controlled?
The Red Tractor is protected by trademark and only approved packers can use the logo. Food businesses must be licensed by Assured Food Standards (AFS) before they can use the logo. And the licensing rules give AFS the right to check packers and their supply chain to make sure that the logo is only appearing on food that meets the high standards.
How many companies are currently allowed to use the Red Tractor logo on their food?
There are currently over 68,000 Red Tractor farmers in the UK, and they sell their food to one of 350 Red Tractor packers licensed to use the Red Tractor on their packaging. Food companies of all sizes use the mark, from a family-run salad grower to large dairy processors.
Where can Red Tractor food be purchased?
Red Tractor food is available from all the major supermarkets. You will find it on supermarket own brands and products like Countrylife butter, cheese and milk, Silver Spoon sugar and Allinsons flour.
How is the Red Tractor being promoted to the public?
Red Tractor is promoted to the public throughout the year through a number of activities. The main event is Red Tractor Week on 9-15 July 2007. Activities include a mini red tractor race with MP’s on 9 July to launch the week to national and regional press followed by a presence at the Great Yorkshire, coverage in the weekly women’s magazines and a celebrity recipe booklet. The major supermarkets also support the event by promoting the week in their magazines, instore promotions and demonstrations and sampling.
Throughout the year there are regular features in magazines and fun and factual information about Red Tractor and food on including delicious new recipes using seasonal ingredients.
What is the link between ABM and the Red Tractor?
ABM is one of the Red Tractor beef and lamb schemes which sets standards throughout the whole assurance chain. If a beef or lamb product has been assured all through the ABM assurance chain and packed by an AFS licensee, it then becomes eligible to carry the Red Tractor logo.
Does beef and lamb from a farm assured to ABM standards qualify for the Red Tractor Logo?
Yes, providing that the product has been through an assured the supply chain (from farm including transport and markets to processing) and the packer of the product is licensed by AFS to apply the Red Tractor logo.
Can the Red Tractor logo be applied to beef and lamb sold in a farm shop?
Although technically yes, there are a number of rules which must be fully observed before a licence to use the Red Tractor will be issued. The beef and lamb must have come from a farm registered under a recognised assurance scheme (e.g. ABM), have been transported on assured transport, been through an assured market (if applicable) and slaughtered/further processed in an assured abattoir and/or cutting plant.
In addition the business applying the Red Tractor logo to the product (i.e the packer and in most cases the farm shop) will have to be assured under the ABM Abattoir standards, cutting and packing plant module and will also have to be licensed by AFS as a packer. For more information e-mail:
Where can more information on the Red Tractor be found?
Assured Food Standards who operate the Red Tractor logo have two websites:
a consumer website with lots of information about the Red Tractor as well as tasty recipe ideas. - a more detailed technical website with details of the scheme standards and how to join as well as latest press releases.
How can the industry help spread the Red Tractor message?
Tell friends and family to go to - the consumer website which provides details of the logo and what it means together with tasty recipes.
ABOUT EBLEX QUALITY STANDARD MARK
What is the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark (QSM)?
The EBLEX Quality Standard Mark is a scheme owned and operated by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX). Based on existing farm and foodchain assurance schemes – such as those meeting the requirements of the Red Tractor – the EBLEX Quality Standard Mark is the UK’s only assurance mark to carry an eating quality requirement.
Why does the EBLEX QSM have an eating quality requirement?
Research has shown that eating quality – namely the tenderness and succulence of meat - is a key issue for consumers. The age of cattle and sheep and the season for slaughter of sheep play an important role in eating quality. For this reason the QSM uses the latest scientific knowledge to exclude certain types of animal to help ensure a product with consistent eating quality.
How does beef and lamb become eligible to carry the EBLEX QSM?
Beef and lamb is eligible to carry the QSM if it has been reared on a farm that is a member of a recognised farm assurance scheme (such as those meeting the requirements of the Red Tractor). It must also have been transported and slaughtered through an EBLEX-approved, fully assured supply chain (also equivalent to the requirements of the Red Tractor) and meet the eating quality requirements. The use of the mark is independently audited on behalf of EBLEX.