Fresh Produce Scheme
Introduction from Veryan Bliss, Sector Chair
Red Tractor assurance provides confidence through the fresh produce 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 Fresh Produce Standards are overseen by the Fresh Produce Sector Board, which plays a critical role in providing strategic direction, ensuring robust governance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Fresh Produce standards. Made up of industry expertise and representation from across the Fresh Produce sector – including producers, processors, agronomists, 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 Veryan Bliss
Veryan has more than 30 years’ experience across the global fresh produce supply chain, with expertise in growing, packing, technical assurance, innovation and governance. She held senior leadership roles at Suncrop Produce for over 20 years before founding Food Intelligence Limited in 2022. Veryan joined the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Board in 2019 and is also a non-executive director of The Andersons Centre and a trustee of the East of England Agricultural Society, bringing extensive industry and governance experience.
Barbara Bray MBE
TAC Chair
Independent
Tim Casey
Grower and NFU
Grower
Jan Redpath
Grower and NFUS
Grower and NFUS
Damon Johnson
Retailer, BRC
Retailer
James Lee
Agronomist
Agronomist
Stephen Shields
Grower and NFU
Grower
Andrew McHardy
Retailer
Retailer
Jenny Heath
Grower
Grower
John Walgate
BGA
BGA
Technical Advisory Committee members
Standards that are fit for the future
The Fresh Produce Standards are written by a representative group of industry experts, who make up the Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Chaired by Barbara Bray MBE, 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 Fresh Produce 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.
Barbara Bray MBE
Committee Chair
Veryan Bliss
Sector Board Chair
James Simpson
Top Fruit Grower
Emma Burke
Grower
Andrew Curtis
Potato Processors Association
Zoe Moore
NFU
John Worth
Retailer
Patrick Mitton
Independent Pesticides Consultant
Andy Alexander
NFU
John Freege
Retailer
Emma Joslin
Retailer
Paul Goddard
Crop Protection Association
Simon Alexander
Independent Consultant
Ben Firth
Potato Processor
David Barney
Independent Food Safety Consultant
Sophie Hennessy
Vegetable Grower
D’Arcie Rice
Leafy Salads Grower
Tina Engelmark
Onion Grower and Processor
Marlena Petraviciene
Mushroom Grower
Karin Goodburn MBE
Chilled Foods Association
Matthew Simon
Grower
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 Fresh Produce
The following priorities have been identified:
- Reduce audit burden through a more bespoke, risk-informed approach, without compromising food safety
- Shift assessor focus to ensure standards are evidenced through practical compliance as well as paperwork
- Promote and encourage a strong food safety culture based on appropriate risk assessment within fresh produce businesses
Ensure the standards and assessment process support efforts to:
- Rebuild trust across the supply chain, positioning Red Tractor as a champion of the sector
Priority actions (2026 Review)
To deliver these objectives, the Sector Board and TAC, will:
- Review crop risk categories
- Develop specific standards for leafy salads
- Quantify the audit burden across the sector
- Document the rationale for existing standards
Longer term focus:
- Launch refreshed, more bespoke standards.
- Explore group approaches via the Red Tractor Members’ Portal
- Pursue further opportunities for earned recognition
- Consider the implications of environmental impact on food safety
- Grow Red Tractor’s role in upskilling / driving a food safety culture
Longer term, the Fresh Produce Sector Board will explore:
- Smarter, data-driven audit regimes.
- Segmenting standards by risk category
- More targeted, risk-based assessments
Fresh Produce Standards
Fresh Produce news
Sector Board updates
Latest Fresh Produce 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
