An 11-week industry-wide session will start on Monday 20 November to assist decide whether or not the {industry} ought to implement digital passports that may mix crop shipments.

Work to introduce a digital passport has been ongoing for quite a lot of years, with {industry} teams together with merchants, transporters and representatives from {industry} our bodies offering enter on how it will work.

As soon as the session is accomplished in February 2024, a management group chaired by AHDB board member Stephen Briggs will resolve whether or not to proceed with the proposal.

See additionally: Way forward for digital grain passports ‘up within the air’

If the management group decides to proceed requesting funding from the Trade Council, the Trade Council will make a ultimate choice in March 2024.

Proponents of a digital grain passport consider it’s going to present growers with on the spot data, enhance information integrity and shareability, whereas decreasing prices all through the availability chain.

Nevertheless, assist for the introduction of digital grain passports has been combined, with some smaller grain merchants seeing it as one other hurdle and expense that can solely profit the larger gamers within the {industry}.

A spokesman for the management group mentioned vital time had been invested in creating a enterprise case that addressed all features of the brand new system from governance to improvement and operations.

“Easy adjustments”

They added: “Basically, this can be a easy change from the paper paperwork at the moment carried with each load throughout the nation, to the digital equal in a sturdy, safe on-line system.

“Operationally, this shall be a major change and we at the moment are eager to listen to what stakeholders throughout the availability chain consider the proposal.”

People wishing to take part within the session ought to contact their consultant {industry} affiliation or e-mail AHDB Economics and Evaluation Director David Eudall at david.eudall@ahdb.org.uk.