Mr Backhouse met with the milling supply chain to discuss why farmers should bare the costs and effort of sampling and testing for mycotoxins this year which has seen little or no risk of consumer exposure. Mr Backhouse acknowledged members responsibility in managing the risk of mycotoxins and other contaminants but added that the NFU have ensured that the appropriate mechanisms were in place through crop assurance schemes.

"We believe reliance on notoriously inaccurate testing for mycotoxins is a flawed approach, elevated to a status far beyond its merits by a food industry seemingly determined to allow the issue of DON to become a marketing tool for use with its customers. Reliance on costly and unreliable testing for mycotoxins is letting the whole wheat supply chain down by diverting far too much industry attention to what, in reality, is a minor issue when we have significant challenges facing us in the coming years. Our message to farmers is be aware of the increasing demands in the milling wheat supply chain, find out exactly what mill you might be sending grain to, what their demands are likely to be when you finally deliver the crop, and ensure you know if the milling premium offered reflects the additional effort, costs and risks involved in testing." NFU Combinable Crops Board Chairperson Ian Backhouse.

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