Dairy Scheme
Introduction from Tim Lock, Sector Chair
Red Tractor assurance provides confidence through the dairy 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 Dairy Standards are overseen by the Dairy Sector Board, which plays a critical role in providing strategic direction, ensuring robust governance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Dairy standards. Made up of industry expertise and representation from across the Dairy 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.
Sector Chair Directors
Chair Tim Lock
Tim brings extensive experience from across the dairy industry, having held roles with the NFU National Dairy Board and served as Chair of the NFU’s Chichester branch. He previously ran a mixed family farming business in West Sussex, giving him first-hand knowledge of farming and the wider dairy supply chain. Tim has also chaired the M&S National Milk Pool and brings a wealth of practical experience and industry insight to his role at Red Tractor.
Tim Lock
Chair
.
Chair
Peter Dawson
Dairy UK
.
Farmers/Growers
Ian Harvey
NFU England and Wales
.
Farmers/Growers
Alice Miller
British Cattle Veterinary Association
Farmers/Growers
Murray Patrick
NFU Scotland
.
Farmers/Growers
Paul Dover
Processor
.
Processors
Richard Collins
Processor
.
Processors
Amy Jackson
TAC Chair
.
Independent
Tom Atkins
Multiple Retailer
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Multiple Retailers
Joseph Keating
British Retail Consortium
.
Retailers
Mervyn Gordon
UFU
.
Farmers/Growers
Mark Brooking
Processor
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Processors
Georgina Grimes
Processor
.
Prcoessors
Neville Graham
Processor
.
Processors
Jonathan Wilkinson
NFU England and Wales
.
Farmers/Growers
Paul Flanagan
AHDB
Industry
Technical Advisory Committee members
Standards that are fit for the future
The Dairy Standards are written by a representative group of industry experts, who make up the Dairy Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Chaired by Amy Jackson, 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 Dairy 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.
Amy Jackson
Committee Chair
Tim Lock
Sector Board Chair
Gemma Smale-Rowland
Farmer
Fiona Roberts
Processor
Sarah Blacklock
Processor
Holly Gower
RSPCA
Bob Carruth
NFUS
Verity Richard
NFU Staff Member
Thom Washbourne
AHDB Dairy
Jonathan Evans
Processor
Lucy Squire
Processor
Cyril Orr
UFU
Stephen Dark
NFU England and Wales
Heather Martin
Processor
Dermot Meehan
Processor
Tori Morgan
NFU Cymru
Beatrice Yates
British Cattle Veterinary Association
Lucy Witter
Retailer
Louisa Candido
Dairy UK
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 Dairy
The following priorities have been identified:
- Rebuild farmer trust by improving efficiency and reducing burden while maintaining audit integrity.
- Ensuring the scheme evolves to reflect market and trade requirements, including the UK Dairy Export Strategy.
- Align standards and regulatory requirements with Red Tractor’s Vision and Purpose
Ensure the standards and assessment process:
- Support consumer confidence in UK dairy products.
- Support long term viability and competitiveness of the UK dairy sector, in line with the Dairy Roadmap.
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.
- Confirm standards align with Red Tractor’s Vision and Purpose.
- Use TACs to horizon scan emerging topics.
- Explore opportunities to tailor assessment type and frequency with compliance history, while maintaining supply chain confidence.
- Look at how the beef/dairy scheme can operate better to reduce burden.
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 pollution, waste management, air quality, biodiversity, and carbon reduction.
- Incorporating outcome measures into the scheme to enhance robustness.
Dairy Standards
Dairy news
Sector Board updates
Latest Dairy technical briefing
Improvements
Learn about priorities for each sector
Beef & Lamb
Crops & Sugar Beet
Dairy
Fresh Produce
Pigs
Poultry
Ownership Body
Red Tractor Board of Directors
Red Tractor Leadership Team
