About the Scheme

Assured Chicken Production is an independent company that owns and develops the Assured Chicken Production Scheme (ACP) standards for poultry. The ownership of Assured Chicken Production was transferred to Assured Food Standards Ltd in April 2004 and the AFS Poultry Sector Board is responsible for the direction, overall management and administration of the Scheme.

A Technical Advisory Committee monitors and proposes the standards for the Scheme. CMi Certification, SAI Global, NIFCC and PAI are licensed to operate the certification system for the Assured Chicken Production Scheme on behalf of Assured Chicken Production Ltd. The certification system is an independent third party system for determining conformity with product standards. The certification system requires examination of product, the production process, the production environment and assessment of the quality management system. Acceptance after initial assessment is followed by ongoing surveillance. The certification system is linked to a Certificate of Approval, and the approved scheme mark. The mark is the property of Assured Chicken Production Limited issued, under licence through the Certification Body.

The Scheme unreservedly supports the ideals of F.A.W.C. and the Five Freedoms:

• freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
• freedom from discomfort
• freedom from pain, injury or disease
• freedom from fear and distress
• freedom to display most normal patterns of behaviour