Published
April 24, 2026
Environmental compliance is significant for pig and poultry producers and the Pig & Poultry Assurance Scheme recognises those that achieve high standards of compliance with their environmental permit.
At the same time, farmers are also looking closely at the systems that support their operations to explore energy resilience and strengthen long-term farm performance in the most environmentally friendly way.
What is the Pig & Poultry Assurance Scheme?
The Pig & Poultry Assurance Scheme is designed for pig and poultry farmers with a strong record of environmental permit compliance. The scheme is voluntary and offers practical benefits, including lower Environment Agency charges and a reduced frequency of direct inspections.
Sitting within the environmental permitting framework, it allows eligible farms to pay around £1,090 less each year in Environment Agency Fees. They also receive an Environment Agency inspection every 3 years, with annual inspections by a nominated certification body in the other years.
The guidance also explains that these visits can be carried out jointly with other assurance schemes, including Red Tractor Assurance or the Lion Code of Practice, which can save time and reduce biosecurity risks.
Why Does the Scheme Matter For Producers?
For many producers, the value of the scheme is the fact that it signals a high standard of environmental management. A farm that meets the standard of entry into the scheme is likely to have strong systems in place across the site.
Qualities such as clear records, prompt action on improvement conditions, and a steady approach to day-to-day management, support permit compliance and help build confidence in farm operations.
The inspection structure also streamlines visits which can help reduce disruption on site. Certification body visits can align with other assurance visits which helps support better biosecurity management during the inspection.
Who Can Join the Scheme?
Gov.uk states that a farm must have had at least 2 inspections since its permit was issued, comply with permit condition 1.1, and implement all improvement conditions within the approved timescale. Factors that affect eligibility include:
- Ammonia-related improvement conditions
- Outstanding enforcement action
- Recent convictions or cautions in certain circumstances
- Unresolved amenity issues
- Arrears for permitting charges
- More than 10 Compliance Classification Scheme points in the previous calendar year
Essentially, eligibility depends on a farm’s compliance history and current standing. Entry reflects a pattern of sound management rather than a single successful inspection.
Why Energy Resilience Matters on Pig & Poultry Farms
Energy resilience matters for pig and poultry farms because power supports many of the systems that shape daily farm conditions. A stable electricity supply helps operators maintain control and keep essential equipment running as intended.
For example, environmental controls support housing conditions and automated systems support feeding and water delivery. Plus, monitoring systems help teams respond quickly when site conditions shift.
A resilient approach to energy not only helps maintain a stable electricity supply, but it also supports better long-term planning. This is because it gives producers a more reliable basis for managing costs and keeping the farm running smoother during periods of pressure on the grid or wider energy market, ultimately reducing disruptions.
How Solar Can Support the Scheme in Practice
While the Pig & Poultry Assurance Scheme focuses on the environmental permit compliance, solar can support farm infrastructure that helps operators maintain stable performance over time.
On-site solar PV systems can reduce reliance on grid electricity and can improve control over energy use across the farm. With the unpredictability of energy costs, this control can carry clear value, especially for those with a high daytime demand.
Solar also supports long-term planning and views of farm management. It becomes part of a practical strategy that drives operational resilience as well as cost management. Although solar doesn’t define the membership of the scheme, it can support the systems and planning that helps farms maintain strong performance.
What Should Farmers Consider Next?
The first step for producers who want to explore the scheme is to review their current eligibility and compliance history. Next, try looking at the farm through an operational lens, assessing infrastructure, maintenance, energy use and system reliability. A farm that performs well each day is often better placed to support strong environmental outcomes over the long term.
Once this has been completed, the following steps depend on those outcomes. For some, it may mean looking at equipment upgrades and for others, it may mean reviewing energy planning and seeing how solar could support site performance.
Strong compliance grows from strong operations. Noble Green Energy works with pig and poultry farmers, as well as food and manufacturing businesses, to reduce energy risk, stabilise long-term costs and cut carbon through onsite renewable generation and energy strategies shaped around real operational demand.
Contact us today to discuss your solar PV requirements or come and visit us at the Pig & Poultry Fair on the 13th and 14th May. Find us on the Noble Foods stand.
