Beef & Lamb Scheme
Introduction from John Dracup, Sector Chair
Red Tractor assurance provides confidence through the beef & lamb supply chain. It is recognised and valued by consumers, farmers and growers, food businesses, retailers and governments here in the UK and around the world.
The Red Tractor Beef & Lamb Standards are overseen by the Beef & Lamb Sector Board, which plays a critical role in providing strategic direction, ensuring robust governance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Beef & Lamb standards. Made up of industry expertise and representation from across the Beef & Lamb sector – including producers, processors, vets, sector trade associations and retailers – the Sector Board exists to guide and shape the future of the sector, ensuring it remains resilient, productive, and responsive to market and environmental demands.
The Beef & Lamb Sector Board
Chair John Dracup
John joined the Red Tractor Board in March 2022 and has more than 30 years’ experience in British agriculture and the food processing industry. Alongside running a successful beef and lamb family farm in Devon, he has pioneered electronic livestock auctions and managed the livestock division of one of the UK’s largest beef and lamb processors. John also serves as Strategy Director of The Royal Smithfield Club, bringing extensive industry knowledge and leadership to the Board.
Jude Capper
TAC Chair
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Independent
David Morgan
NFU
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Farmers
Will Jackson
AHDB
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Industry
Alice Liddle
BRC/Food Service
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Retailers/Food Brand
Alistair Brown
Livestock Auctioneers Association
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Industry
Phil Stocker
National Sheep Association
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Industry
Phil Hambling
British Meat Processors Association
Processors
Henry Blain
Multiple Retailer
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Multiple Retailers
Tom Atkins
Multiple Retailer
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Multiple Retailers
Navaratnam Partheeban
British Cattle Veterinary Association
Industry
Sarah Haire
Dawn Meats (BMPA Representative)
Processors
Ben Harman
National Beef Association
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Industry
Technical Advisory Committee members
Standards that are fit for the future
The Beef & Lamb Standards are written by a representative group of industry experts, who make up the Beef & Lamb Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Chaired by Jude Capper, this group advises the Sector Board on the wording and practicalities of assessing current and potential new standards, and the removal of obsolete standards and audit points.
For over 25 years, these standards have underpinned trust in the sector. The Beef & Lamb Sector Board has produced a strategy to build on this position of trust, and the TAC have reviewed the standards, so they are fit for the future.
Jude Capper
Committee Chair
Alistair Sneddon
Auctioneer
John Royle
NFU
David Barton
Farmer
Oli Lee
Farmer
Bryan Griffiths
NSA
Zoe Lloyd
AHDB
Neil Shand
NBA
Iestyn Tudur Jones
WBLP (devolved representative – observer)
Kathryn Kerr
QMS (devolved representative – observer)
Laura Hamilton
LMC (devolved representative – observer)
John Dracup
Red Tractor Beef & Lamb Chair
Beatrice Yates
British Cattle Veterinary Association
Vicki Tripney
Processor
Will Hamplett
Processor
Eleanor Thornton
Processor
Tom Green
Sheep Vet Society
Priorities and objectives
Red Tractor is in the process of reviewing its farm-facing standards and assessment process. The aim of this review is to harness new technologies, data and stakeholder input to streamline assessments, support the reduction of audit burden, and maintain customer confidence – while ensuring standards remain relevant.
Objectives for Beef & Lamb
The following priorities have been identified:
- Rebuild farmer trust by improving efficiency and reducing burden while maintaining audit integrity.
- Ensure the scheme evolves to meet market and trade requirements.
- Align standards and regulatory requirements with Red Tractor’s Vision and Purpose.
Ensure the standards and assessment process:
- Support consumer confidence in British beef and lamb
- Support long term viability and competitiveness of UK beef and lamb sectors
Priority actions (2026 Review)
To deliver these objectives, the Sector Board and TAC, will:
- Review and justify standards to ensure they are proportionate and reflect current farming practice.
- Align standards with Red Tractor’s Vision and Purpose.
- Horizon scan emerging topics for inclusion in Beef & Lamb Standards.
- Explore opportunities to tailor assessment type and frequency with compliance history, while maintaining supply chain confidence.
Longer term focus
The Sector Board will also explore opportunities for:
- Data-driven farm profiling to strengthen targeted assessments
- Alternative compliance methods, including third-party data and government inspections
- Assessing Red Tractor’s role in supporting industry efforts on water pollution, waste management, air quality, biodiversity, and carbon reduction.
Beef & Lamb Standards
Beef & Lamb news
Sector Board updates
Latest Beef & Lamb technical briefing
Improvements
Learn about priorities for each sector
Beef & Lamb
Crops & Sugar Beet
Dairy
Fresh Produce
Pigs
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Ownership Body
Red Tractor Board of Directors
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