FEP audit survey feedback generates change
Farm Planning & Audit Process Diagram
WIL carried out an FEP audit survey in July for shareholders who went through the audit process during the last audit season.
Shareholder feedback indicated that the timing of the survey wasn’t ideal as too much time had elapsed between the audit being finished and the survey being sent out. Various factors such as a change of environmental advisors during the audit season and this being the first season that WIL had surveyed shareholders led to a low response rate.
WIL has addressed this feedback by opting for a new approach for this year’s FEP audit season which means that the FEP audit survey will be carried out on a rolling basis throughout the season. Shareholders will receive the survey within 10 days of their FEP audit reports being finalised and the process being completed.
In last season’s audit survey 75% of respondents said they found the pre-audit visit helpful with the remaining 25% finding the visit “somewhat helpful”.
All respondents were happy with the level of support provided by WIL prior to the audit visit, although one respondent asked for a more practical visit that went beyond “just the QCONZ template”. This shareholder indicated that they valued the practical side of the visit and would like to focus on the whole farm system rather than just completing the QCONZ FEP template. WIL has taken this feedback onboard and will ensure that the audit visit covers the whole farm system.
Shareholders were very happy with the quality of their auditors and found the audit process to be a valuable experience. It is important for shareholders to provide feedback on their auditors as this helps WIL decide which auditors will be contracted to complete FEP audits each season.
On the other hand, most survey respondents were dissatisfied with the QCONZ FEP template. Feedback included the need to expand the template to ensure that all required FEP audit information could be easily upload and for the template to be reviewed to reduce repetition and improve clarity, while providing a more intuitive response. A stronger focus on biodiversity was also noted as a key area for improvement.
“I wouldn’t use it (the QCONZ FEP template) again until I have to update it for the next audit because each time I have tried to use it for something else it is not fit for purpose,” said one survey respondent.
WIL’s environmental team Ben Howden and Georgina (Georgie) Woods have met with QCONZ to share feedback from WIL’s shareholders with the aim of improving the template prior to the next audit season.
“They are responsive to taking suggestions and feedback from our shareholders onboard. It is positive to be able to share ideas for improvements with QConz and hopefully it will create some changes for the template,” said Georgie.
Another key point noted in survey response was sharing best practice examples with all shareholders and this is something WIL is going to investigate ahead of the next audit season.
WIL has changed this year’s FEP audit survey in response to feedback from shareholders. As requested, the survey will be sent out via Survey Monkey in a rolling basis within 10 days of the FEP audit for those who would like to complete it online and there will also be a Word version which can be filled in and emailed back. If shareholders prefer, they will also have the option of completing the survey with WIL’s biodiversity advisor Georgie Woods over the phone.
The updated FEP survey will cover two sections – the FEP itself and the audit process and will take around 5-7 minutes to complete. The survey also includes the option for a follow up visit or phone call from WIL’s environmental team if there are any details that shareholders would like to discuss in more detail relating to the FEP audit process.
WIL would like to thank all shareholders who participated in this year’s FEP audit survey with feedback resulting in improvements to the audit system for all shareholders. We would like to encourage more shareholders to share their thoughts and feedback this coming audit season by completing the FEP audit survey so that WIL can provide continuous improvements to the audit process.
