Scots Quality Crops to streamline on-farm audit process

Cereals assurance body Scottish Quality Crops is establishing a new rolling certification model as part of its auditing process from 1 October.

The current annual scheme is being replaced with product specific certification, which will allow grain passports to be issued to growers earlier in the year.

Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) have said the new model has been introduced in an attempt to streamline the auditing process.

See also: SFI 2023: The support options for arable growers

Managing director Teresa Dougall said: “We have been listening to SQC members’ concerns around the issue of receiving passports in time for harvest.

“Under the current annual scheme model, growers must be audited between 1 October and prior to harvest and successfully complete the certification process in this time to gain assurance.

“Only at this stage can passports currently be issued. With the move to product certification, we can provide rolling certification over 12 months meaning that passports can be issued earlier in the season and before harvest starts.”

Ms Dougall added that the move to product certification will still require all growers to have an annual assessment.

Audits are carried out by Food Integrity Assurance on behalf of SQC.

The assurance body is also working with other assurance schemes such as Quality Meat Scotland, Wildlife Estates Scotland, and Leaf to provide joint audits for farmers where possible.