Post Assessment Survey
What members are telling us
Listening to our members is a vital part of how Red Tractor continues to improve. After each assurance assessment, we invite members to complete a short post assessment survey, giving them the opportunity to share feedback on their experience.
Every six months, we publish a summary of the headline findings, so members can see what’s working well and where changes are being made.
Why we run the survey
The post assessment survey helps us to:
- Understand members’ experiences of Red Tractor assessments
- Identify what’s working well across the scheme
- Highlight where improvements are needed
- Track changes in satisfaction and feedback over time
By reviewing feedback regularly, we can work with certification bodies and assessors to continually improve how the scheme operates in practice.
What members are asked
The survey focuses on key parts of the assessment process, including:
- Clarity of pre assessment information
- Communication and professionalism during the assessment
- How well standards and outcomes were explained
- Overall assessment experience
Members can also leave comments, giving valuable insight that helps explain the scores.
The survey is conducted, and analysed by Grounded Research, an independent research agency specialising in food, farming and environmental issues. Working with Grounded Research ensures the anonymity of results.
Headline findings (1 November 2025 – 22 May 2026)*
Top five reasons for renewing or gaining assurance*
Experience of the assessment*
Straightforward
Required some time / effort, but acceptable
Challenging
Very Challenging
Communicating with the assessor
92%
5%
2%
0%
Arranging the assessment
90%
8%
2%
1%
Reaching someone at Red Tractor to provide support
64%
26%
7%
3%
Finding information about what to expect during the assessment
55%
36%
7%
2%
Understanding what is required
49%
39%
10%
3%
Finding the evidence / information required to meet the requirements
38%
49%
10%
2%
Managing the paperwork required
31%
49%
15%
5%
Length of assessment
More than 5 hours
Assessors
Using the Member Portal
Perceptions of Red Tractor
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Very poor
Transparency – explaining how and why standards are developed
Efficiency – removing duplication, streamlining standards and helping members
Value – delivering value to farmers
Sentiment – overall experience of membership
What we’re doing with the feedback
Anonymised feedback from the survey is reviewed by the Red Tractor assurance team who are working with our sector boards, technical advisory committees and suppliers to deliver improvements where needed.
Responding to this feedback, we’re:
- Improving information about governance and decision making on our website
- Reviewing all farm-facing standards, with a key focus on reducing audit burden
- Providing useful templates and guidance for members at the time of their assessment
- Delivering improvements to the Red Tractor portal
- We continue to run our advertising campaign, promoting assured British produce to consumers.
Members’ views play a direct role in shaping how the scheme continues to develop.
Our commitment to transparency
By publishing headline findings twice a year, we’re committed to being open about what members are telling us and how we’re responding. This is part of our wider commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining trust in the Red Tractor scheme.
New questions added to the survey on 6 January 2026. As a result, data for these questions is for 6 January – 22 May, with 847 responses.
