Improving the robustness of its assurance schemes is a key reason behind the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) launching an identification card for all auditors.

Its offshoot, AIC Services runs a number of industry assurance schemes for livestock feed material and production safety; food and feed safety for combinable crops; renewable energy criteria; fertiliser security; and seed treatments. These all play an essential part in ensuring safety in the feed and food chains, as well as delivering safety in the fertiliser supply sector, pointed out AIC.

Annual audits for the schemes are carried out by one of two sub-contracted certification bodies and the new cards are being issued to increase security and enable sites that are audited to quickly identify the holder as an authorised auditor.

The cards have a picture of the auditor and clearly state which schemes he or she is qualified for. The introduction comes at a time when all schemes are introducing ‘short notice audits’ that will can be carried 24 hours after giving notice to scheme participants.

AIC Services managing director, John Kelley, said: “The new ID cards will not only validate auditors’ qualifications and experience, but also provide confidence to participants. This demonstrates a commitment to ongoing training and development, and is part of the AICS strategy to continually improve the robustness of its assurance schemes.”