The NBA carried out a survey within its members to ascertain their feelings and concerns towards whole life assurance. 523 respondents from throughout England gave their views to a series of 12 questions.
1. 93.8% of respondents kept beef, 54.4% were sheep keepers and 9.75% had dairy enterprises.
2. Those answering the survey 73.7% were predominately already farm assured, who may show a predominance of finishers and only 21.4% said they would never join an assurance scheme.
3. 89% believe that the present statutory legislation they work under from both the EU and UK legislatures gives consumers all the assurance that they need and 87.45% believe that the inspections already carried out by RPA, Trading Standards Officers etc. are fully comprehensive.
4. Of those responding, 76% do not believe that it is necessary for an animal to spend its life on an assured holding to ensure high standards of welfare and traceability are accomplished.
5. When asked their view on the need for cattle to reside on a farm assured holding for their whole life to be assured, 72% were against it with only 23% for whole life assurance.
6. When those already farm assured were asked if they felt properly consulted by Red Tractor regarding the additional standards imposed in October 2014 an overwhelming 80% felt they had not been properly consulted.
7. 89% of those who filled in the survey believe that there should be more communication to retailers and consumers of the strict standards producers already adhere to.
Commenting on the results of the Survey Chris Mallon Chief Executive of the NBA said:
“The results of this Survey show that beef farmers who are assured are satisfied with the regulations currently in place and that the proposed new whole life assurance is unnecessary and will not improve the Beef Supply Chain.”
