FIAS was launched on 9th January 2006 and assures fertiliser security and traceability in the industry supply chain. The UK government encouraged and supported this industry initiative as an alternative to further legislation. AIC manages the development and implementation of the scheme under the supervision of the FIAS Steering Group, which has representatives from government and industry stakeholders.

Providing safe feed and food is essential to ensure that the risk of a food or feed ‘incident’ is minimised. A complex web of supply chains combine to achieve this and the Agricultural Industries Confederation’s (AIC) feed trade assurance schemes form a vital part of the ’assured chain’ which minimises risk.

The AIC assurance schemes are designed for:

• Feed compounders
• Feed ingredient suppliers
• Fertiliser manufacturers
• Agricultural merchants
• Seed processors
• Biofuel producers

However, many other businesses are eligible to participate including: hauliers, storekeepers, ports, shipping operators, and testing facilities.