FSA 3.0 Questionnaire public consultation now open
3rd October 2019
The development of FSA 3.0 is in full swing and SAI Platform is seeking feedback on the draft FSA 3.0 Questionnaire. This key feature of the FSA allows farms to be self-assessed against a comprehensive set of sustainable agricultural practices. When verified independently, the FSA Questionnaire also serves as the basis of FSA Performance Claims. All interested stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback on the draft FSA 3.0 Questionnaire during this 60-day public consultation period.
The FSA 3.0 Questionnaire is now open for a 60-day public consultation. Interested stakeholders can download the draft FSA 3.0 Questionnaire for review and give feedback through the online consultation survey. SAI Platform welcomes all feedback to help make the FSA 3.0 Questionnaire more effective as a tool for self-assessment, verification assessment and benchmarking.
FSA Questionnaire forms the core component of the FSA
The FSA Questionnaire provides useful insight to both individual farmers and farm group managers about on-farm sustainability practices. The FSA 3.0 Questionnaire will enable users to identify areas of strength as well as potential areas to improve performance and track improvement over time. Results can then be verified through third-party verification assessment, allowing for public performance level claims at bronze, silver and gold level.
The purpose of the latest FSA 3.0 will be to “drive relevant and demonstrable continuous improvement of on-farm social, environmental and business performance through supply chain engagement and fostering common understanding.” (FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee, 2019).
The FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee has revised the existing FSA 2.1 Questionnaire to ensure that it fits the agreed purpose of FSA 3.0 as well as reflect the latest understandings regarding on-farm sustainable agricultural practices. This revision is based on expert interviews and advice and includes a global trends analysis in sustainable agriculture by Proforest.
Feedback shapes FSA 3.0 Questionnaire development
The FSA 3.0 Questionnaire consultation will close on 2 December 2019. Summary feedback on consultation results will be provided to all respondents. The FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee will also provide an individual response to stakeholders with detailed question level feedback, explaining the actions that resulted from it. SAI Platform will publish the summary feedback and response log after the consultation.
The FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee will continue to develop new tools to complement the FSA 3.0 Questionnaire. The Committee recognises that the purpose of FSA 3.0 requires new tools to help users set priorities, create continuous improvement and measure sustainability outcomes. These new tools fall outside the scope of this public consultation. SAI Platform will use focus group discussions and expert interviews to gather feedback on these new additions to the FSA.
SAI Platform aims to introduce the new and improved FSA towards the end of 2020.
If you have any questions about the consultation or the development of FSA 3.0, please contact us by sending an e-mail to fsatool@saiplatform.org
Register here to find out more about FSA 3.0 development and progress at an upcoming one-hour webinar on 5 November, 16:00 CET – Members Only
