AIC Feed Sector Health and Safety Forum Visits ForFarmers in Preston
On 3 June, the AIC Feed Sector Health and Safety Forum met at ForFarmers in Preston, bringing together health and safety representatives from across the agri-supply industry. Delegates included representatives from Mole Valley Farmers, HJ Lea Oakes, Duffields SW, Dugdale Nutrition, NWF Agriculture and Carr's Billington. David Moss, AIC Animal Feed Technical Manager, serves as secretariat for the forum. Mark Johnston of Carr's Billington is Vice Chair, and the meeting was chaired by Lorna Filby of Mole Valley Farmers .
The forum meets three times a year, bringing Members together to focus on practical, high-level strategy, while also sharing best practice across businesses. A key theme of this meeting was safety on farm, particularly how, as an industry, we can positively influence both our customers and legislation to improve standards.
One of the main topics discussed at the meeting was silage sampling, which ForFarmers raised following feedback and time spent with their account managers. Insights from on-farm activity have helped shape the discussion and are now informing the development of the online AIC Health and Safety module. This module aims to support a more consistent approach for AIC Members when working on farm. AIC plans to launch the new module in the first quarter (Q1) of 2027.
The meeting also included an overview of the Preston site’s journey, followed by a tour led by Jade Wing, William Floyd, Dave Parker and Iain Mitchell. Attendees noted the site’s high standards, as well as its transparent approach and focus on continuous improvement.
AIC would like to thank Richard Porter and the ForFarmers team in Preston for hosting a productive and insightful meeting.
Author
David Moss
Project management and technical projects. Areas include animal feed, feed adviser register, stakeholder management and health & safety. Secretariat for a number of feed sector committees including the UKFFPA (United Kingdom Former Foodstuffs Processors Association).
