Potato Review

30 POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2020 AUDITING How to prepare e new process for potato audits is as follows: · Auditors contact the site to arrange the audit, explaining how it will be undertaken · A con rmation letter is sent well in advance, clearly stating how to prepare for the audit · Auditors will detail the physical areas of the farm or site they need farmers to show during the live stream. ey will also ask to see documents – through screen share or through a camera phone – and may also ask to speak to personnel working on the farm where appropriate. · The audit will be run through an app called BlueJeans, if NSF is conducting the audit. Farmers will need to download this. It enables other relevant people such as managers to join the audit remotely and provide additional support if needed. · Farmers on site need a working email address to be sent the link to join the BlueJeans audit. · Whoever is on site will be responsible for showing the auditor what they need to see. What to expect A fully charged phone or tablet, an email address and an internet connection are the basic requirements for potato growers. e audit is completed live – not using pre- recorded footage or photographs. Full standards will be checked and producers will be guided by the assessor on where they need to go. NSF International says the audit is otherwise the same as if the assessor was on farm – it is as realistic and robust as a physical inspection. Aside from the fact it is a video link, the audits are not particularly di erent in the way they are completed. And the same goes for viewing documents. Depending on the assurance scheme, there are two ways to see the documents; live streaming or using a portal to upload them. Agriculture Director Anita Roberts said: “We are really keen for our customers to have con dence in the remote assessments. We “We recognise that technology is not something everyone is comfortable with and we have therefore trained our assessors and team members to help our farm members through the process.” NSF Agriculture Director Anita Roberts