Feed assurance guide · Sources checked October 2026
UFAS vs FEMAS vs TASCC: feed assurance schemes compared
UFAS, FEMAS and TASCC are the three feed and food trade assurance schemes run by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC): FEMAS certifies feed ingredients, UFAS certifies compound feed manufacture and feed merchanting, and TASCC certifies the trading, storage, haulage and testing of combinable crops and animal feed. AIC’s pages say Kiwa Agri Food certifies all three, and each has an annual routine audit and a three-year certificate.
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Feed assurance schemes compared, checked October 2026
UFAS vs FEMAS vs TASCC side by side
Facts are from AIC’s own scheme pages and the 2024 scheme rules and standards. This compares assurance schemes, not software.
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| Point | FEMAS | UFAS | TASCC | Source, date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | Feed ingredients: feed materials and additives | Animal feed: compound feeds, blends and premixtures, and feed merchanting | Trade, storage, haulage and testing of combinable crops and animal feeds | |
| Typical participants | Ingredient producers, co-product suppliers such as food processors and brewers, additive makers, gatekeepers | Feed mills and feed merchants, with checklists for stores, haulage and retail sites | Grain merchants, stores, hauliers and testing facilities | |
| Current standard | FEMAS Standard 2024, from 1 October 2024 | UFAS Standard 2024, from 1 April 2025 | TASCC Standard 2024, from 1 October 2024 | AIC: trade assurance schemes, checked October 2026 |
| Certification body | Kiwa Agri Food, on behalf of AIC | Kiwa Agri Food, on behalf of AIC | Kiwa Agri Food, on behalf of AIC | |
| Routine audit | Every year (rule 11.1.3) | Every year (rule 8.1.3) | Every year (Scheme Rules section 5) | |
| Short-notice audit | At least once per three-year certificate | At least once per three-year certificate | At least once per certificate for storage, merchanting and testing linked to storage; spot audits for hauliers | |
| Certificate | Valid three years (rule 10.1) | Valid three years (rule 7.1) | Valid three years, expiring on 31 March in the scheme cycle (section 3) | |
| HACCP | HACCP study reviewed at least every 12 months (B1.16) | HACCP study reviewed at least every 12 months (B1.17) | Formal HACCP study (G18) | |
| Record retention | At least three years (B3.5) | At least three years (J2.5); five years for controlled products (K14.2) | At least three years (G8) | |
| Internal audit | All relevant activities at least every 12 months (B4.2) | All relevant activities at least every 12 months (B3.2) | All relevant activities at least every 12 months (G21) | |
| Recall and traceability tests | Recall test and traceability exercise, each at least every 12 months (J3.6, K4.1) | Recall test and traceability exercise, each at least every 12 months (I3.7, J2.8) | Recall test and traceability exercise, each at least every 12 months (M20, G19) | |
| Non-conformance grades | Critical, major, minor | Critical, major, minor | Critical, major, minor |
“Every year” and “at least every 12 months” are the scheme minimums; your certification body sets the actual dates. AIC’s scheme pages also refer to a joint development of the three standards with implementation in 2027, so check for a newer edition before relying on the 2024 clauses. Sources checked October 2026. Scheme standards and legislation change: open the linked source before relying on any row. This page is general information, not legal advice, and it cannot tell you whether you will pass an audit: your certification body decides conformity, and your local authority enforces feed law.
Grain assurance scheme requirements: which scheme fits
Which scheme usually fits which business
The scope of each scheme is set by its rules, and your certification body confirms the scope of your certificate. A business with several activities may need more than one.
You make or supply feed ingredients
FEMAS covers feed materials and additives, including co-products from food and drink processing. See the FEMAS audit checklist.
You make compound feed or merchant feed
UFAS covers compound feed, blends, premixtures and feed merchanting, with sections for storage and haulage. See the UFAS audit checklist.
You trade, store, haul or test grain
TASCC covers combinable crops and animal feeds between the farm gate and the first processor. See the TASCC audit checklist.
Feed assurance scheme requirements and the law
Assurance is voluntary; feed law is not
All three schemes describe themselves as voluntary. Feed hygiene law applies whether or not you join one.
For the records feed law asks for, read feed hygiene record keeping requirements.
- Businesses that make, market or use animal feed must be registered or approved with their local authority (FSA: starting an animal feed business, checked October 2026).
- Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 on feed hygiene sets standards for storage and transport, equipment, staff training and record keeping (FSA: animal feed legislation and the Regulation on legislation.gov.uk, checked October 2026).
- AIC keeps a list of other feed and food supplier schemes it recognises, used when approving suppliers (AIC: recognised schemes, checked October 2026).
How we compared
We read AIC’s scheme pages and the FEMAS 2024, UFAS 2024 and TASCC 2024 scheme rules and standards on 14 October 2026, and recorded what each says about scope, certification, audits and records. Clause numbers point to the 2024 editions. We paraphrased rather than reproduced the standards. This page compares assurance schemes, not software or services, does not recommend one scheme over another, and is not a substitute for the standards or for advice from your certification body.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between UFAS, FEMAS and TASCC?
They cover different parts of the chain: FEMAS covers feed ingredients, UFAS covers compound feed and feed merchanting, and TASCC covers trading, storing, hauling and testing combinable crops and animal feed. All three are run by AIC.
Who certifies UFAS, FEMAS and TASCC?
AIC’s scheme pages say Kiwa Agri Food certifies all three on AIC’s behalf. The scheme rules allow a participant to use an approved Inspection Body for the on-site audit.
Are the schemes a legal requirement?
No. The scheme rules describe each as voluntary, although customers may ask for them. Feed hygiene law, including registration or approval with your local authority, applies either way.
Can a business need more than one scheme?
Yes, if its activities fall under more than one scheme, for example a merchant that also stores grain. Ask your certification body which scopes apply.
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