Farming Standards

The Agriculture Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network sets the farming standards that apply to every agricultural holding on the register and inspects holdings against them. The standards replace the separate requirements that member organisations applied before the Department was established, so that a holding in any district of the Network is held to the same standard as a holding in any other.

Eight standards take effect on 6 September 2026. Each applies to the holdings named against it in the register below; a mixed holding is inspected against every standard that applies to any part of its enterprise. The standards are written so that a keeper or grower can check compliance without specialist help, and the Department's farm advisory service will visit any holding that asks for guidance before an inspection.

The standards. The register below lists the eight standards, the holdings to which each applies and how often a compliant holding is inspected against it.

Every holding is inspected at least once in three years. Holdings with livestock are inspected annually against the water protection and animal welfare standards, and any holding with an improvement notice outstanding is inspected annually against every applicable standard until the notice is discharged. The Department also inspects a holding at any time following a report of a suspected breach.

Inspection outcomes during the transition. During the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026, 386 inspections were carried out under interim arrangements by inspectors transferring from member organisations. Each inspection assessed a holding against one of the eight standards. The outcomes are set out below and form the baseline against which the Department will report its own programme.

Compliance was highest against the animal welfare and hedgerow standards and lowest against the water protection and record keeping standards, where most notices concerned slurry store capacity and incomplete movement records respectively. All eleven improvement notices remain open and will be the first inspections of the Department's programme. Figures for the transition period are provisional and will be revised where late returns are received.

What each outcome means. An inspection results in one of four outcomes.

Compliant

The holding meets the standard inspected. No further action is required before the next scheduled inspection, and the outcome is recorded against the holding on the register.

Advisory notice

A minor shortcoming was found that does not put animals, workers or the environment at immediate risk. The notice sets out what is to be put right within 90 days. The keeper or grower confirms in writing when the work is complete; no follow-up visit is made unless the confirmation is not received.

Improvement notice

A shortcoming was found that requires specified works. The notice describes the works and the date by which they are to be completed. The keeper or grower submits a plan within 28 days and the Department carries out a follow-up inspection once the works are reported complete.

Suspension of registration

Reserved for a serious or repeated failure that puts animals, workers or the environment at risk. A holding whose registration is suspended may not move livestock or sell produce as a registered holding until the suspension is lifted. No suspension was issued during the transition period.

How an inspection is carried out. The steps below apply to every inspection made under the Department's programme.

1. 1

   Step 1: Notice of inspection

   The Department writes to the keeper or grower at least ten working days before a scheduled inspection, naming the standards to be inspected and the records to have ready. Inspections following a report or an improvement notice may be made without notice.

2. 2

   Step 2: The visit

   An inspector attends the holding, examines the land, buildings, stores and stock relevant to the standards named, and reviews the holding's records. The keeper or grower, or a person nominated by them, should be present throughout.

3. 3

   Step 3: Findings explained

   Before leaving, the inspector explains what was found and which outcome is likely to be recorded. Anything the keeper or grower wishes to have taken into account should be raised at this point.

4. 4

   Step 4: Written outcome

   The Department confirms the outcome in writing within ten working days. Any advisory or improvement notice is attached, with the date by which the matters raised are to be addressed.

5. 5

   Step 5: Review

   A keeper or grower who disagrees with an outcome may ask for a review by writing to the Department within 28 days of the written outcome. The review is carried out by an inspector who was not involved in the original visit.

The Department publishes inspection outcomes quarterly alongside its land and holdings figures. Requirements concerning notifiable disease and pests are set out separately on the Plant and Animal Health page. Questions about the standards, or a request for an advisory visit before an inspection, may be sent to contact@agriculture.gov.vin. See also the frequently asked questions.