Fodder & Oilseed Initial Course - Part I & II

Fodder & oilseed initial crop inspectors training courses and APHA examinations 2027

The initial training course for prospective Fodder & Oilseed Seed Crop Inspectors will be held in two parts, Part I online on 22nd September 2027 and Part II will be held in our demonstration plots on 6th October 2027. 

Intensive training is provided by experts in Fodder & Oilseed variety identification, aided by demonstrators who are experienced Official Crop Inspectors. The course is designed to provide the appropriate training for candidates sitting the Part I examination for an APHA Fodder & Oilseed Crop Inspector’s Licence, Category 'K' which is held at the end of training. To qualify for a full licence, candidates must pass the Part II examination in the same calendar year as the Part I. In 2027, candidates can attend the Part II exam on 6th October 2027. Further training will be available in the morning before the examination.

The training course will concentrate on the botany, classification and identification of fodder & oilseeds, and will also cover the theory and practice of crop inspection. Candidates should note paragraph 5 of the Crop Inspectors Licence. This states that a crop inspector may charge a reasonable fee for making an inspection but otherwise shall not derive any private gain in carrying out his/her functions.

Features of the course include:

Detailed instructions of crop inspection techniques.

  • Comprehensive literature
  • Identification of major fodder & oilseeds crop species
  • Niab Certificate of Proficiency indicating PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION for those who reach the required standard.
Fees  
Training sessions Part I & II (zero-rated VAT) £503.00
APHA Examination Part I & II (zero-rated VAT) £226.00

TOTAL

 £729.00

It is a requirement under the Seeds Regulations 2011 that a person applying for a crop inspectors licence has “completed an appropriate training course relating to the inspection of seed crops of that species and category”. Any new candidates wishing to take the examination only must provide us with documentary evidence that they have received appropriate training before taking the examination.

Cancellations received prior to 21 days before the course are refundable, less an £80 administration charge. After that, cancellations are subject to the entire course fee, please enquire about substituting candidates if required. (Fees cannot be carried over to the following year under any circumstance).

Please book your place on the course, and pay via BACS. Once you have been registered, Niab's finance department will then invoice you.

Book now

Failure to attend the course may mean your licence will be revoked. For finance queries please email: [email protected]

Applications will not be accepted after 01/09/2027.

If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Note:  

Your contact details will be included in APHA’s online register of Crop Inspectors unless you indicate otherwise. You should inform the Seeds team, APHA 1st Floor, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8DR.  Email:[email protected] if you do not want your details released.