Inspections
In response to the latest government advice and the ongoing public health emergency we have taken the decision to delay physical inspections until it is safe to carry them out.
Please be assured your Organic & Demeter certificates issued for 2020 will continue to be valid.
Following DEFRA advice, we intend to compete all physical inspections within 6 months of the lifting of restrictions. This unprecedented situation will not affect your certification status, and the priority has to be the health and wellbeing of our licensees and staff.
In the meantime, to ensure the integrity of Organic & Demeter products we ask you to continue following the standards, and we will be implementing interim self-assessment/remote inspections for some of our licensees via phone, skype and email to request documentary evidence. Your inspector will get in touch if we need to verify any details in this remote manner.
BDA Office hours
The office is still open to support you as usual, although most of the staff are working from home we are still available during normal working hours on the same contacts.
BDA Support
We are aware that the farming and food sector is facing considerable challenges and the BDA is keen to support you. We are receiving concerns about a shortage of organic ingredients from processors, and farmers have reported a drop in the price they receive for organic livestock and milk.
Please remember we can offer support with a range of supply chains, Nina de Winter (BDA marketing & supply chain manager) will be in touch with you shortly to offer assistance. If you are looking for support, or indeed feel you could offer support to your fellow licensees please get in touch with us.
Contact details
BDA certification & Demeter UK certification@biodynamic.org.uk tel. 01453 766296
BDA Marketing & supply chain support marketing@biodynamic.org.uk
This is a fast moving situation, so please look out for the updates as we issue them.
I hope we can work closely together as a community to get through these challenges. I wish you and your families all the best, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely
Stuart Cragg
BDA Certification & Demeter UK Manager