An industry-backed initiative to closely monitor the quality of flour - a crucial ingredient in many of our daily foods - has received a warm welcome from UK farmers. They applauded the milling industry for the publication of a laboratory accreditation scheme that will 'give more confidence to growers'.

The milling industry in the UK turns over around 5.5 million tonnes of wheat a year to produce 4.5 million tonnes of flour making schemes that establish and maintain common standards of wheat testing essential.

The new scheme from NABIM - the National Association of British and Irish Millers - requires millers to follow established procedures in their laboratories, with referenced testing methods.

In addition, it requires laboratories to reach a standard of proficiency, independently assessed by the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) on the basis of monthly tests.

Mills test grain for moisture, protein and other physical characteristics that can have a major impact on the price the farmer gets. The National Farmers Union in the UK has been pressing for a published accreditation scheme for some time.

NFU cereals chairman Peter Kendall said: "Laboratory accreditation is a fair response to farmers' delivery of farm assurance.

"The publication of this scheme will allow farmers to be confident that their grain is being tested to the highest standards. This is a step forward for fair and transparent trading."

Details of the scheme can be found on NABIM's website.