Sustainable Poultry Products Assurance Scheme (SPPAS)

The Bord Bia Poultry Sustainable Poultry Products Assurance Scheme is a fully integrated scheme which requires processors to work in partnership with breeder and production farms to provide the customer with sustainable and quality assured product. The scheme describes the essential sustainability criteria and quality assurance requirements for chicken, turkey and duck production from breeding farms, hatcheries and production farms, right through to factory processing and final despatch. In addition, the scheme lays down additional standards to be complied with at each step of the production chain which are required to meet customer requirements. The Scheme was accredited under EN45011 in 2008.

Breeders and Producers

Breeder Layers, Pullet Rearers and Poultry Producers Producers seeking membership can initially apply directly to Bord Bia or through their meat processor. An initial declaration form must be completed before the audit to establish the proper basis and scope for the audit. A full independent audit of the poultry site will be carried out to evaluate the capability of the applicant to meet all the requirements of the Standard. When the breeder or producer is deemed to have complied with the requirements of the Standard, the site will be considered for certification under the Scheme. When certified, the farmer will be issued with a Bord Bia assured certificate for the flock / production house which is valid for up to 18 months. The flock / production house will also be listed on the Bord Bia register/database. Before the certification expires, the farmer will receive a reminder letter from Bord Bia advising that a further audit is required to maintain certification.

As required in the scheme, poultry producers must source their litter from an approved Bord Bia litter supplier. A full list of approved litter suppliers can be found at www.bordbia.ie/litterproviders. For Bord Bia Sustainable Poultry Products Assurance Scheme (SPPAS) audit support and close out please vist poultry.bordbia.ie/.

Meat Plants

At processor level, the scheme sets out a number of essential requirements covering both product and process, which assure hygiene, food safety and product traceability along the production chain. Processors are subject to independent audit during which their compliance with each of the scheme requirements will be assessed. When the processor is deemed to have complied with the requirements of the Standard, the processor will be considered for certification under the Scheme. When certified, the processor will be issued with a certificate for the scope of the process audited and will be listed on the Bord Bia database / register and on the Poultry member listing.