Feed Assurance for Small Breweries/Distilleries

Breweries/distilleries within the UK are required to assure the safety of co-products (such as brewer’s grains, drafff, trub, surplus yeast and surplus beer) that are fed to animals to be used in the human feed chain. They must comply with the requirements of feed legislation and demonstrate adequate controls throughout the supply chain from the selection of raw materials to the marketing of co-products as feed materials.

Most large breweries have already subscribed to the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) and have an annual audit of their co-production and transport.

The BFBi Feed Assurance Scheme, recognised by Assured Food Standards, Meat & Livestock Commission and NFU, is tailored to assist small breweries/distilleries to protect both animal and human health whilst satisfying the requirements of farm assurance bodies with regard to the safety and quality of brewing co-products.

The Scheme embraces breweries with an annual production of up to 200,000hl (European definition of a “Small Brewer”). Small distillers are also eligible to join the Scheme.

The annual Scheme has been active since 2006 and Members include Hook Norton, Purple Moose, St Austell, Titanic, Wye Valley, and Wadworth & Co.

Classified in 7 bandings, Membership starts from £120 + VAT, to include on-site training (or via cd training pack if more convenient), all paperwork, offsite audit (for brewers 60,000hl or less), onsite audit (for brewers 60,000hl – 200,000hl), refresher training and updates.

Companies receive Certificates at each stage, stating intent and compliance to the Scheme.

Audits are undertaken by Gordon Jackson, Auditing Manager, Campden BRi / Senior Brewery Auditor for FEMAS.

Don Burgess, Freeminer, Technical Director of SIBA and Member of The BFBi Feed Assurance Scheme notes:

‘‘it is an important link in the modern food chain security assurance process, which is required by anyone entering feeds or food into the human food supply chain. The Scheme is user friendly and well structured for the smaller brewer without being a legal headache.’’

Further information is available on the website or contact BFBi:

Tel: 01902 422303 Email: charlotte@bfbi.org.uk Website: www.bfbi.org.uk



Application for registration should be sent to:

BFBi, 3 Brewery Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4JT
Tel: 01902 422303 Fax: 01902 795744 Email: info@bfbi.org.uk


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