Draft New Audit Criteria

Draft new criteria were developed in conjunction with specially formed committees known as Technical Advisory Committees (TACs).

The TACs are made up of:

• Representatives from leading farm organisations.
• Representatives from industry, research and regulatory organisations.

The TACs were tasked with reviewing and developing criteria that reflect current farming practices, meet key market requirements, and align with updated legislation.

The draft new criteria are being piloted on farms this summer.

Pilot audits of the draft new criteria for beef, lamb, dairy, horticulture, eggs, poultry, pigmeat will take place on nominated farms this summer. These farms were nominated through the TACs and agreed to take part. 

By testing the draft criteria in real farm settings, it allows farmers to provide practical feedback on how the draft criteria work on the ground. This feedback will be reviewed by the TACs to help refine and finalise the updated standard.

Much of the criteria remain the same, with some new criteria that are required by legislation but weren't previously audited. Other draft criteria reflect best practices in areas like environmental actions and animal health and welfare.

There is a proposed new audit process, which aims to improve the audit experience for farmers. This process is called risk-based auditing (see next question).

Until the pilot audits are finished and the final criteria are agreed, we can’t give detail about the exact criteria. When the time comes, you’ll get plenty of notice and clear guidance so you can prepare for your next audit.

Under the new proposals, not all criteria will be assessed during every audit. This marks a significant change from current practice, where all requirements are reviewed at each renewal audit. Instead, areas that were previously compliant and some core criteria will carry through to the next audit and will only be rescored if there is evidence of non-compliance.

• During the introductory phase, each current member will have a ‘transition’ audit. This will focus on the new and updated criteria, as well as reviewing any non-compliances raised in their last two audits.
• After completing the first audit under the new standard, each subsequent audit will focus on one of three key areas of the standard. This means that each audit will cover only the criteria relevant to that focus area—approximately one-third of the total criteria.
• Each audit will place a strong emphasis on the farm walk, where compliance is assessed through visual checks and conversations with the farmer.
• Records will remain an important part in compliance, but auditors will sample the records, rather than review them all in full.

There are a few reasons why we need to update the standards and therefore make some changes to the audit.

1. To reflect current legislation and farming practices.

Since the schemes were last updated, many changes have occurred in Irish farming practices, due to changes in legislation as well as positive actions taken by farmers. It is important that we reflect these changes in the new standard to accurately represent Irish farming.

2. To meet the needs of trade buyers:

Irish agriculture relies heavily on international buyers with 90% of Irish meat and dairy exported overseas.

These overseas trade buyers have strict sourcing requirements and expect proof that the produce they buy meet high standards both on farm and in the factory.

To maintain and grow these trading relationships, we need to prove that Irish produce meets their strict sourcing needs. By updating the standard to accurately reflect Irish farming, we can provide stronger reassurances around the quality and sustainability of our produce to these buyers.

3. To protect Ireland’s positive hard-earned reputation:

Irish produce enjoys a strong reputation in a competitive global marketplace. However, to keep this hard-earned reputation we need robust, fit-for-purpose accreditation. These updates are necessary to safeguard Ireland’s reputation.

4. To keep up with global competitors:

Updating the standards ensures we can compete strongly against other suppliers in key markets. If the standards fail to keep pace with our competitors, we could risk losing ground to other suppliers in these markets.

Irish farmers are operating to high standards. However, there some areas where our competitors are operating to very high standards that are verified through their equivalent QA schemes. 

In the UK, Red Tractor requires an annual vet-conducted health review, a written health plan, pain relief for disbudding and clamp castration, and biosecurity policies.

The Netherlands' Beter Leven scheme requires a farm health plan, prohibits preventative antibiotic use and requires pain relief for castration.

Germany's Haltungsform (husbandry) standard is a tiered system to provide information to consumers on how animals are kept. The tiers range from level one to level four, with four being the hardest to achieve. Level three requires disbudding with pain relief and antibiotic monitoring for livestock.  Irish beef and dairy is most closely aligned with level three.

The Bord Bia audit and other requirements can seem like a burden, but they play a key role in protecting and growing markets for Irish food, especially overseas. These standards help prove the quality, safety, and sustainability of your work, which is what keeps buyers coming back and helps support better prices.

While the process can be demanding, it’s also designed to recognise the high standards Irish farmers already work to as members of Bord Bia’s Origin Green — and to help make sure those standards are recognised in the market.

Beyond market benefits, staying up to spec for your audit helps ensure your farm is safe, well-managed, and ready for cross compliance inspections.

  You will be informed well in advance of your next audit if it will include the proposed new and updated criteria.  The draft criteria and pilot audit feedback will need to be fully agreed by the TACs before any changes to the audit process takes place.  

The information collected is securely stored and used only for the purposes of audit verification, scheme management, and demonstrating compliance to markets. It is not shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law.