Pigs Scheme
Introduction from Stewart Houston, Sector Chair
Red Tractor assurance in the Pigs sector is valued by consumers, food businesses and governments, both here in the UK and around the world.
The Red Tractor Pigs Standards are overseen by the Pigs Sector Board, which plays a critical role in providing strategic direction, ensuring robust governance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Pigs standards. Made up of industry expertise and representation from across the Pigs sector – including producers, processors, vets and retailers – the Sector Board exists to guide and shape the future of the sector, ensuring it remains resilient, productive, and responsive to changing market and environmental demands.
Sector Chair Directors
Chair Stewart Houston
Stewart has served as a non-exec member of the Food Standards Agency Board. He was also chair of the British Pig Executive and a member of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. In addition, he has been on the Scottish Agriculture College board and was Executive Director of the National Pig Association. He is today a non-exec member of Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Board, England which advises ministers on policy.
Grace O’Gorman
TAC Chair
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TAC Chair
William de Klein
Processor
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Pig Producer Representative
Lizzie Wilson
NPA
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Pig Producer Representative
Jemma Flitton
Retailer
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Retailer
Alex Thomsettr
Pig Veterinary Society
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Independent Expert
Steve Waite
Processor
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Processor
Mark Haighton
AHDB levy body
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Independent Expert
Muhamed Maliki, deputising for Hedi Decker Wojung
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Processor
Pig Producer Reps (indoor and outdoor x4 including 1 x NPA rep and 1 x UFU rep) *
Pig Producer Representative
*Names of producer reps are not published due to safety concerns
Technical Advisory Committee members
Standards that are fit for the future
The Pigs Standards are written by a representative group of industry experts, who make up the Pigs Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Chaired by Grace O’Gorman, this group advises the Sector Board on the wording and practicalities of assessing 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 Pigs 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.
Grace O’Gorman
Buildings & Equipment Specialist
Tim Miller
Buildings & Equipment Specialist
Jane Matthews
British Pig Association
Sarah Horsfield
Producer/Integrator
Chris Leamon
Producer
Kyle Boyd
Producer / UFU Rep
Matt Turner
Retailer Representative
Emma Baxter
Welfare Specialist
Lorraine Salmon
Feed Representative
Toby Allcock
Pig Veterinary Society
Claire Barber
AHDB Pork
Katie Jarvis
National Pig Association
Jess MacKintosh
Producer / Integrator
Lauren Dimmack
Processor / Integrator
Lily Spencer-Brown
Processor
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 pigs
The following priorities have been identified:
- Maintain a community of trusted producers
- Keep farms aligned with evolving regulations and support future planning
- Develop meaningful standards that reflect customer and consumer expectations, especially around welfare
- Protect industry reputation with new approaches that complement existing strengths
- Reduce audit burden and reward compliance
- Provide modular audit options
- Avoid mission creep by keeping standards focused and relevant
Priority actions (2026 Review)
To deliver these objectives, the Sector Board and TAC, will:
- Finalise and launch the Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred module for pig producers
- Agree long-term aspirations on key topics (e.g. farrowing, stocking, slurry management & sustainability, welfare outcome assessment)
- Review existing standard content to capture rationale and identify appropriate level of review required
- Trial the use of digital Quarterly Vet Reviews to improve efficiency and data availability.
Longer term focus
Between 2027 and 2030:
- Refresh standards based on sector needs
- Develop and integrate welfare outcome measures
- Explore how farm profiling can inform risk management
- Transition a more risk-based assessment delivery model
- Explore opportunities to increase modular options based upon stakeholder priorities e.g. environment, indoor enhanced welfare
Longer term, the Pigs Sector Board will explore:
- Technological solutions such as live monitoring and AI
Pigs Standards
Pigs news
Sector Board updates
Latest Pigs 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
