Celebrating
25 years of
Red Tractor
Pride in British food and farming, upheld by standards
2025 marks 25 years since the creation of the Red Tractor logo.
Today, Red Tractor is proud to be the UK’s most recognised food assurance scheme – a reputation built on the daily commitment and hard work of our farming and food business members.
75% of UK shoppers recognise the Red Tractor logo, the majority saying it increases their trust in the food they buy.
Thank you for 25 years of building trust in UK food
Red Tractor was created as an industry-wide collaboration to restore confidence in UK food and farming. The past 25 years have seen a huge effort by all involved in the British food industry.
Today, 75% of food produced in the UK is Red Tractor assured. All major UK retailers rely on Red Tractor standards to source high-quality British produce.
Thank you to all Red Tractor assured farmers, producers and licensed food businesses who uphold high levels of trust and traceability by meeting Red Tractor’s standards every day.
Looking to the future
Red Tractor’s work is far from compete. Life for British farmers and food businesses is challenging. As technology continues to reshape the public conversation about food and where it comes from, so will the scrutiny of farming practices.
Whatever the challenge, Red Tractor is ready to evolve – setting standards for food that farmers, businesses and consumers can be proud of.
Want to help celebrate 25 years with us? Download the Red Tractor resources pack
Red Tractor CEO reflects on 25 years
“From a time of food scares and health crises, the British food industry has worked together in an incredibly significant way to now not only have re-gained the trust of British consumers, but also international recognition for the standards we hold and progress we are making to future-proof UK food production.”
Alistair Mackintosh, Red Tractor Chair
Our history
Red Tractor was created following the food scares of the 1990s as an industry-wide collaboration to restore confidence in UK food and farming. Today, Red Tractor is the UK’s most recognised farm assurance scheme, trusted by businesses and consumers — a reputation built on the hard work and dedication of our farming and food business members, supported by their expertise and counsel.
Today, over £17 billion worth of British food carries the Red Tractor logo, and all major UK retailers rely on our standards to source high-quality British produce. As consumer expectations evolve, we continue raising awareness of what it means to be Red Tractor assured and delivering our vision: to be the pride of British food and farming, trusted at home and abroad by consumers, buyers, and governments.
1996
UK food reputation experiences major crises after confirmation that BSE (‘Mad Cow Disease’) can jump from cattle to humans. Together, the food and farming industry start to form a collective approach to assuring high quality, safe and traceable standards of food production.
2000
Red Tractor launches
Red Tractor is launched by Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister, on the steps of 10 Downing Street.
2009
The Red Tractor scheme incorporates all farming sectors: beef, lamb, diary, poultry, pigs, crops and fresh produce. The logo appears on £10 billion of food and drink in the UK.
2013
Red Tractor’s robust traceability system reassures retailers and consumers amidst horse meat scandal.
2017
Red Tractor fresh produce standards are recognised by GLOBAL G.A.P., marking an important step in Red Tractor’s earned recognition.
2018
Red Tractor launches first national TV Campaign and new logo.
2020
Red Tractor adds a new range of marques to broaden its offer for shoppers, and rolls out its member portal and remote assessments in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021
Red Tractor launches its first Trust in Food Index to track consumer confidence in the UK food system, revealing the resurgence of trust and belief in safe, traceable and high-quality UK food.
2025
Red Tractor marks its 25-year anniversary with a farmer-first strategy that details commitments to growers and producers for years to come. The number of licensed businesses continues to grow, joining household names such as Weetabix, Silver Spoon, McCains and Muller as Red Tractor Assured businesses.
“It’s easy to forget how different the world was 25 years ago – a relatively short length of time, but one that has seen a transformation in British food and farming. Since day one, Red Tractor’s members and partners have been integral to its evolution and we are hugely thankful for all their support.”
Philippa Wiltshire, Head of Operations at Red Tractor
“I would like to congratulate Red Tractor on its 25th anniversary and the work it has done to enhance the reputation of British agriculture with many customers. We look forward to working with Red Tractor on its continued development.”
Emily Norton, AHDB Chair
Red Tractor CEO reflects on 25 years
