Duck Assurance Scheme to be launched in UK
The new Duck Assurance Scheme (DAS) is to be launched at this year’s Pig and Poultry Fair from 11-12 May at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. SAI Global and the British Poultry Council have worked closely to develop this specific standard for the Duck producing industry.
The scheme has been developed for duck producers who are keen to demonstrate their professionalism and high standards of production, and SAI Global are the designated inspection body for the scheme.
Peter Bradnock, CEO of the British Poultry Council: ‘We are delighted with the launch of the Duck Assurance Scheme. British Poultry Council members have worked long and hard to ensure that these standards are rigorous, auditable and encompass the whole production chain for ducks’. He added, ‘Yet again the UK poultry industry is demonstrating its credentials as a world leading livestock sector’.
The scheme covers all areas of duck production, including breeding, hatching, rearing, catching, transport, slaughter, free-range, and table eggs.
Stephen Urwin, Technical Director – Agriculture, Gressingham Foods says: “It is fantastic that the duck industry in the UK and worldwide is now able to offer an independently verified assurance scheme that covers all aspects of production, from egg production for hatching and human consumption, through to hatcheries, growing farms and to the slaughter house. The areas that will be assessed include; animal welfare, environmental protection, health and safety training and development for farm workers along with food safety issues for the consumer. Independent inspections and assessments are invaluable in terms of the level of confidence in the end product that they bring to the consumer”.
“SAI Global are really excited to be working with the duck industry to provide an assurance scheme to producers. I know that stakeholders and producers from the duck sector have worked hard on this initiative and I am absolutely confident that assured duck will be a great success in the marketplace,” Says Chris Reading, UK Operations Manager, SAI Global.
The scheme is owned and administered by the British Poultry Council and is managed by an independently chaired Technical Advisory Committee.
Source: British Poultry Council
