Following discussion with BFFF member NFUM, we identified the opportunity to support their agents by offering training on a range of food and health & safety issues, that potential clients may face in today’s ever more complex trading environment.

The first of these training sessions took place recently with a focus on the role of Primary Authority.

BFFF were one of the first trade bodies to become involved in the Primary Authority Co-ordinated Partnerships when they were launched in 2013.

Since then, we have developed this concept and now have four partnerships covering:

• Trading Standards with Cambridgeshire County Council (Co-ordinated Partnerships)
• Health and Safety with Wakefield Council (Co-ordinated Partnerships)
• Environmental Health and Trading Standards with South Cambridgeshire District Council (Co-ordinated Partnerships)
• Fire Safety with Essex Fire & Rescue Service (Direct and Co-ordinated Partnerships)

It was the strengths of these partnerships that enabled the Federation to undertake such an effective training session, supported by key speakers from our four Primary Authority Partners:

• Caroline Clarke from Office for Product and Safety Standards (OPSS)
• Helen Atkinson of Wakefield Council
• Paul Maylunn of South Cambridgeshire Trading Standards Service
• Brian Dean from Essex Fire and Rescue Service

We were also able to call on BFFF member apetito to give some practical insight, on the importance of having a Fire Safety Partnership following a devastating fire at one of their factories.

To round off the session, another BFFF member, Shield Safety Group provided an overview of the support they can provide companies in the area of Primary Authority.

Feedback from the independent agents and the NFUM team was very positive, and they were pleased by the high level of support and help that can be provided by BFFF and our Primary Authority Partners.

Primary Authority is a means for businesses to receive assured and tailored advice on meeting regulations such as environmental health, trading standards or fire safety through a single point of contact. This ensures start-ups get it right at the outset and enables all businesses to invest with confidence in products, practices and procedures, knowing that the resources they devote to compliance are well spent.

This was very evident in the practical examples given by the speakers, who provide effective support for companies covered by a Primary Authority Partnership. Whilst individual companies can join the scheme, through trade bodies such as the BFFF we can provide much wider access to information and guidance.

Simon Brentnall, our Head of Health & Safety, brought this to life by sharing, that following an event held by the BFFF on the ‘Safe Handling of Ammonia’ a BFFF member stopped a potential ammonia leak at their factory by putting into practice what he had learnt at the seminar.

The training was held online, due to the Pandemic, and provided a very effective way of delivering the training.

If you would like to learn more about our Primary Authority Partnership, please contact either Simon Brentnall or Denise Rion.