News

Key Users Gather to Kick Start FSA 3.0 Review

3rd November 2018

COPENHAGEN, 30 November 2018 – SAI Platform today announced that the development of FSA 3.0 is now underway and is to be launched in 2020. On 22 November, the FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark to officially kick off the revision process. The Committee aims to have improvements and additions to the FSA defined by the end of the first quarter of 2019. This will allow focus over the reminder of the year to concentrate on building the solutions that will keep FSA fit for purpose in the coming decade.

Formed to provide a balanced representation of SAI Platform members, the FSA 3.0 Guidance Committee also brings a wealth of FSA experience to the table. The Committee chaired by Iver Drabæk (Nordzucker) consists of: Daniela Bogner (AGRANA), Mike Buttenham (GFO), Fares El-Barbary (Döhler), Andy Essert (Cooperativa Agraria), Emmanuelle Hopkinson (M&S), Vanessa King (Unilever), Athanasios Mandis (innocent drinks), and Kevin Ogorzalek (Barry Callebaut).

Right now, the Committee is defining future user needs for FSA 3.0 in order to respond with a set of tools to facilitate the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices. As a result, SAI Platform is calling for proposals from interested consultants to support the Committee in this scoping phase. This first step in the development of FSA 3.0 will result in recommendations for adapting existing tools or adding new tools, which will then be developed over the course of 2019 and launched in April 2020.

“FSA 3.0 will build on the success of the current FSA”, says Chairman Iver Drabæk, “Any changes will be integrated gradually into the FSA to ensure that everyone can feel confident using the FSA as we transition into the next version.”

FSA users and other stakeholders will be consulted throughout the process and are invited to come forward with ideas and recommendations at any time by contacting the SAI Platform Secretariat or any of the Committee members. SAI Platform is organising an FSA Community of Practice meeting on 12-13 March 2019 for learning and exchange, networking and getting input into the development of FSA 3.0 from our most experienced users.

“I’m excited to work with our committed community to further improve the FSA and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our users as well as our planet as we move into the next decade”, says Sven Sielhorst, Systems Director at SAI Platform. “I call on everyone who can help make FSA’s contribution to sustainable agriculture greater, to come forward with their input and suggestions.”