News round-up: Reliable footprint calculations, training resources and industry consultation
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking stakeholder feedback, views and comments in relation to 11 feed additive applications that have been submitted for authorization in each nation of Great Britain.
The consultation will inform the final review of the additives by the respective ministers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Stakeholders have been asked consider any relevant provisions of retained EU law and other legitimate factors, evidence supporting risk analysis including consumer interests, technical feasibility and environmental factors related to the applications.
Reliable footprint calculations
Meanwhile, DSM reports that its tool aimed at reporting environmental performance in the animal protein production chain has secured independent ISO certification by DNV.
While Sustell was already designed to and aligned with leading LCA standards, the company said the independent validation by DNV in accordance with ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006 underscores the robustness of the Sustell lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology, a platform that it co-developed with experts at Blonk Consultants.
“Third-party verification serves to assure DSM customers that Sustell footprint calculations are reliable and credible."
In addition to providing an accurate footprint measurement, the tool provides actionable farm-level solutions to reduce environmental emissions from livestock and improve farm profitability, said the company,
In terms of the information DSM had to provide in order to have DNV verification of Sustell, David Nickell, VP of sustainability and business solutions at DSM Animal Nutrition and Health, told us: "DNV reviewed Sustell LCA methodologies, calculation approaches and databases in detail to ensure consistency with ISO requirements. The verification process took three months to complete, with several rounds of review and discussion."
Training resources
And UK feed representative organization, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has launched a new training academy.
It has brought together all of its training resources for its members, trade assurance scheme participants, and feed advisers under the AIC Academy umbrella.
Available on the AIC website, the academy lists all the training available, including support for trade assurance schemes such as i-learning, HACCP, and driver CPC courses, as well as the Feed Adviser Register, and general courses such as compliance law. Links to relevant external courses are also provided.
John Kelley, AIC chief operating officer and AIC Services managing director said the AIC Academy makes it easier for users to find information about training options by bringing them together in a central resource. “The various training modules can be taken by individuals or used as part of staff training and development programs within their businesses.”
The AIC Academy will add in additional training resources as they become available.
