We are delighted our new store is bringing 20 more new jobs to our local area.”


“This store will not only fly the flag for our business but for Kilkenny, the South East and the equine industry in Ireland as we will be welcoming some of the world’s leading trainers and equine managers here,” Mr Connolly concludes.


Speaking at the event, Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development said: “Since 1908, Connolly’s Red Mills has been fostering rural development and job creation in the South East of Ireland. Connolly’s continue to support local farmers, generate employment and, of course,


fuel winning race horses


all over the world. As EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, I love to see successful rural based businesses who continue to grow their presence both domestically and internationally in action, and especially so when it’s on home turf.”


CROP LOSS SCHEME CONFIRMED


Ireland’s farm minister Michael Creed has confirmed the opening of a targeted crop loss support measure to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016. Speaking at the launch of the measure the Minister said: “While many farmers experienced difficult challenges last year, this was particularly the case for a number of cereal farmers who experienced an exceptionally difficult harvest and resulting yield losses for certain spring crops.


The Minister added: “This is a very important sector to the agricultural economy, making a vital contribution to both the food and feedstuffs sector. I have always stated that there was a will to support these farmers, the challenge was to find a way that ensured support was focused and targeted at those most impacted whilst also ensuring prudent expenditure of public finances.


I am pleased that a


way has now been found – through positive dialogue and engagement. I am satisfied that the measure of a €1.5 million maximum scheme, addresses both of these requirements.


This measure will provide a financial contribution towards the cost of spring cereals crop losses in excess of 30% by yield, experienced by growers.”


OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF HIGH STANDARDS IN NORTHERN IRELAND’S FEED SECTOR


High standards of safety and manufacturing integrity are a feature of compound feed businesses in Northern Ireland and the success of the industry assurance schemes in delivering these standards


has been formally acknowledged by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) with the adoption of the concept of “Earned Recognition”. The Department


is implementing revisions to the Feed


Enforcement Guidance, published by the Food Standards Agency. This brings Northern Ireland guidance into line with the Code of Practice operating in England and Wales. This will include a modified risk assessment scheme with a greater weighting toward voluntary membership of approved quality assurance schemes.


“This is welcome news and means feed businesses in Northern Ireland can enjoy the benefits of earned recognition,” said Keith Agnew, President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association. “Feed business operators are legally responsible for compliance with feed safety legislation and DAERA have officially recognised that the trade takes these responsibilities very seriously and often exceeds the legal requirements”.


John Kelley, Managing Director of AIC Services which operates the AIC assurance schemes, explained that


the move follows a


thorough assessment of the key industry schemes: the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS); the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS); and the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC).


“The regulators have ruled that businesses which participate and comply with these schemes are demonstrating best practice in feed production and can be viewed as lower risk,” he said.


“As well as reducing the burden on compliant businesses this approach allows regulators to redirect resources to areas of higher risk – including work to improve standards in businesses which do not have such a good history of compliance.”


DAERA has also confirmed its ongoing commitment to working with the Food Fortress network in Northern Ireland and have already modified their feed sampling protocols to reflect the information shared though this programme.


The Food Fortress programme is unique to Ireland having been developed originally by the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association in partnership with the Institute of Global Food Security at Queens University.


Over 80 companies involved in the import and manufacture of animal feeds contribute to a system of sampling and testing to protect the Feed and Food Chain from contamination. Test results are shared with the regulators and are factored in to the official risk assessments.


This is a significant advance in terms of feed safety according to


FEED COMPOUNDER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 PAGE 27


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