Red Tractor is introducing two new modules to the Red Tractor Pigs Scheme – Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred and Free Range – accompanied by distinctive on-pack logos to help Red Tractor-assured pig producers and Red Tractor-licensed food businesses clearly communicate higher animal welfare inputs to shoppers.
Stewart Houston, Chair of the Red Tractor Pigs Sector, said: “These new standards will demonstrate welfare inputs that are a step above our already high core range. The new logos will provide consumers with greater choice on the shelf, while the standards sitting behind them provide outdoor producers a way of reducing their on-farm audits while maintaining access to existing markets.”
Building on the success of additional welfare modules
Developed by industry and subject to extensive consultation over the last 18 months, the new modules build on the success of Red Tractor’s additional welfare modules in the poultry sector. The modules have been benchmarked against existing market standards to ensure they reflect meaningful, recognised welfare standards while fitting within the practical realities of commercial pig production.
To benefit the whole supply chain
The changes are designed to benefit the whole supply chain. For producers, the modules specify standards for outdoor systems within the Red Tractor Pigs Scheme – giving outdoor pig producers a straightforward, trusted way to show the welfare enhancements they deliver. For food businesses who are Red Tractor licensees, the modular approach offers a cost-effective option to demonstrate higher welfare on pack, menus, websites, paperwork and marketing materials. This is particularly timely as many businesses begin to plan packaging updates in the coming months. For retailers, the new logos will help shoppers make quicker, more confident choices at point of purchase by providing a consistent, recognisable and trusted welfare message across pork and poultry.
Reducing audit duplication has been a central aim of this work. The new modules and on-pack logos are intended to streamline assurance activity for producers who currently participate in multiple schemes – a recommendation central to the Farm Assurance Review – and to improve efficiency throughout the supply chain.
A trusted route for better welfare
Stewart Houston, Chair of the Red Tractor Pigs Sector, said: “Producers have been clear that they want fair recognition for the additional time, investment and care that goes into higher-welfare systems. These now modules and logos do exactly that – they give farmers a practical, trusted route to demonstrate better welfare while helping retailers and consumers to recognise those commitments easily. We developed the standards with wide industry input and by benchmarking against established schemes, so producers, licensees, customers and consumers can have confidence in what these logos represent.”
Technical information
FAQs
Click to read the answers.
For members
I want to apply for the new Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred or Free Range module
Contact your Certification Body to arrange this to be added to your existing Red Tractor membership.
I am currently RSPCA Assured for my pig enterprise. How do I transition over to Red Tractor
Depending on where you are within your membership and assessment cycle will determine the correct next steps. Please contact your certification body to ensure they capture your wish to have enterprises added to your Red Tractor membership.
My RSPCA Assured membership is not due for renewal yet but my buyer is asking for Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred/Free Range certification – is this an option?
Red Tractor have transition arrangements in place that may mean your stock can enter the chain as Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred depending on the status of your RSPCA Assured certification. Please check the Red Tractor Transition Approval Decision tree to determine the correct step for yourself. Any questions can be directed to either your Certification Body or Red Tractor.
My RSPCA Assurance is the pre March 2025 version – can we have transition approval until our next Red Tractor assessment?
Please contact the team at Red Tractor to discuss this. We will look at the options you wish to ensure all parties are able to work within the requirements.
For licensees and food businesses
I want to use the new logo for my product(s) – who do I need to speak to?
Only approved and licnesed companies can use our trademark wording or logos on product, paperwork, marketing materials, menus or websites and only then in accordance with the Licence Agreement. Please contact our Supply Chain Assurance team for more information: licensing@redtractor.org.uk
How much does it cost?
A licence fee is charged to food businesses when a Red Tractor product claim is being used. The licence fee for Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred and Free Range pork products is 0.1% of declared invoiced sales value (uncapped). As the most recognised, comprehensive and affordable assurance scheme in the marketplace vs other marques, Red Tractor is the best placed scheme to make Enhanced Welfare more accessible for consumers.
Where can I find the brand guidelines for the new logos?
If you are an approved and licensed company with Red Tractor, please get in touch with licensing@redtractor.org.uk to request our brand guidelines. Please include your licence number in all correspondence.
Do I need approval before using the logo on pack or in marketing approvals?
Yes, all logo use must be approved by our Supply Chain Assurance Team – please submit artwork prior to printing for approval and request logos from licensing@redtractor.org.uk. Please include your licence number in all correspondence.
What do I need to do to make a Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred or Free Range claim?
If you are a current Red Tractor Processor Packer licensee, an additional technical approval will need to be completed for Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred or Free Range Pork. The technical information must be submitted and approved by Red Tractor before an Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred or Free Range claim can be made. You will be asked to enter details of your technical operations, suppliers (dependent on your type of business), products and customers as well as demonstrate that you meet our licensing eligibility criteria.
If you are currently not a Red Tractor licensee and wish to onboard in order to make an Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred or Free Range pork claim, please contact the Supply Chain Assurance team at licensing@redtractor.org.uk who can discuss the process with you.