The Value of FEMAS: Participant Case Study - Adams and Green Ltd
Stephen Barnes, Commercial Manager at Adams and Green Ltd, speaks to the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) about the value of the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS).
FEMAS provides an assurance system to ensure that feed ingredients destined for UK livestock meet safety requirements defined by legislators and industry. The scheme covers feed ingredients intended for direct feeding to animals or for inclusion in compound feeds and blends.
Participation in FEMAS safeguards customers, businesses and the wider industry through independently audited assurance, robust processes and a commitment to continuous improvement. For companies such as Adams and Green Ltd, FEMAS certification helps demonstrate quality, transparency and recognised standards across the feed supply chain.
Visit the FEMAS webpage to find out more.
Key outcomes of FEMAS participation
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Customer confidence through independently audited assurance.
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Continuous improvement driven by external challenge and learning.
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Stronger business systems through structured processes and quality management.
How long has your business been a FEMAS Participant?
"We have had knowledge of FEMAS for 25 years, and becoming a FEMAS Participant was one of the first things we did when establishing Adams and Green."
Why is your business a FEMAS Participant?
"Becoming a FEMAS Participant was a “no-brainer” for us, and as we were already closely involved with the Scheme, choosing FEMAS was a natural fit.
Today, participation remains important because it gives our customers confidence that we are operating to recognised standards and demonstrates our commitment to quality and transparency."
How does being a FEMAS Participant add value to your business?
"FEMAS provides an independently audited framework that supports the way we operate. It gives our customers assurance, strengthens our quality systems, and helps maintain the high standards expected throughout the supply chain.
The scheme provides the structure and processes that underpin our day-to-day operations and supports consistency across the business."
What has been the biggest change you have seen since FEMAS was introduced?
"The biggest change has been the way assurance has become embedded in businesses and the wider feed supply chain. What started as a requirement has become part of a business's DNA.
Today, businesses are not simply maintaining certification; they are using assurance standards to drive higher levels of quality, consistency, and professionalism across their operations."
How does your business find the audit process?
"We see the audit process as an opportunity to learn and improve. Rather than simply viewing it as a compliance exercise, we ask, “What can we learn? What can we get better at?”
There is always room for improvement, and an audit provides an independent perspective from someone who is not involved in the business every day.
We embrace the process because it helps us identify opportunities to strengthen our systems, challenge ourselves and continue developing as a business."
What are the opportunities and challenges for the future of UK feed assurance?
"A challenge is ensuring assurance schemes remain practical and achievable as regulations evolve. The importance of being able to demonstrate compliance, access appropriate testing and maintain the expertise needed to support businesses operating in an increasingly complex and changing marketplace.
One of the biggest opportunities for the future is ensuring that feed materials assurance continues to evolve with the industry while maintaining the confidence it provides to customers and regulators. The importance of having businesses involved in shaping the future of standards, noting the value of sharing knowledge, bringing different sectors together and having "a seat around the table" when important decisions are being made."
How does your business support the wider feed industry?
"As a small sector, there are fewer and fewer of us, so we are always keen to support the wider industry. We regularly host new assessors as they gain experience, support auditor training and welcome visitors from industry and regulatory organisations.
We believe in getting people together, sharing knowledge, helping people understand the realities of the sector and encouraging collaboration wherever we can."
Is there anything else you would like to add?
"For us, assurance is not about having a certificate on the wall. It is about doing the right thing, maintaining high standards and creating a culture where improvement never stops.
We are passionate about the business and believe there is always something we can do better. That mindset is what continues to make assurance valuable for us today."
Become a Trade Assurance Scheme Case Study
AIC Services is looking for more Participants of its trade assurance schemes to contribute to a series of case studies, promoting the value of assurance in feed, food and fertiliser safety.
If your business is a Participant of one of the following schemes and you would like to find out more about being featured as a case study, please email AIC Communications Manager, Wendy Ford (wendy.ford@agindustries.org.uk) to register your interest:
Delivering added value services to the agri-supply sector.
