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09 May 2025

Red Tractor CEO reminds UK government to defend UK food standards

Red Tractor statement on the emerging US-UK tariffs arrangement on food, advising the government to defend UK food standards:
9 May 2025:

Jim Moseley, Red Tractor CEO, commented:

“The standards which farmers and manufacturers produce food to in the UK set us apart from the rest of the world. The UK Government must continue to defend UK food standards and farmers by ensuring any products entering the UK market do not undercut the high standards of British produce that consumers have come to expect.
“75% of UK adults trust the food they buy and eat in the UK, and the main reasons for that are the strong standards and clear labelling policies we have in the UK. We cannot risk slipping backwards to a place where customers are not confident in the food they’re buying – whether that is food safety, animal welfare or provenance.
“If shoppers want to be confident that their food is British and of a high standard, they should look for the Red Tractor.”

Find out more about the Red Tractor scheme and how it supports UK food and farming, here.

06 May 2025

Red Tractor Board Update – March 2025

The Red Tractor Board met on 14 March to discuss both our response to the Independent Farm Assurance Review (FAR) and our priorities for the year ahead. Alongside this, we addressed the key challenges facing our farmer members and the wider supply chain, including the government’s decision to discontinue the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI). 

This meeting was also the last for two exceptional Board members, Sophie Throup and Kit Papworth. Sophie’s commitment and insight have been invaluable during her time on the Board, and Kit’s leadership of the Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet Sector has helped Red Tractor drive meaningful progress. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank them both for their service and wish them success in their new roles.

Supporting farmers and delivering positive, tangible change

Much of the meeting focused on the Board’s response to the FAR. This response was published on 25 March. Board members were unanimous in acknowledging the deep frustrations many farmers have expressed about Red Tractor’s role and farm assurance schemes in general. While the FAR recognises the benefits of assurance and describes it as a “significant asset”  it also tells us that we must work harder to deliver meaningful changes for farmers.

We know there is a substantial disconnect between our purpose to deliver value to British food and farmers experience of the practical implementation on farm. Farming is changing rapidly, and assurance must evolve too – guided by the needs of farmers and the realities of the modern supply chain.

Our focus now is on rebuilding trust with farmers and delivering a system that balances the need for robust standards with more practical and farmer-friendly processes. The Board has developed a detailed action plan to address the nine strategic and 56 detailed recommendations set out in the FAR. Many of these recommendations require collaboration across the industry, and we are committed to delivering real progress.

Addressing the government’s SFI decision

The government’s unexpected decision to discontinue SFI applications has been a real blow for farmers in England. It’s a decision that undermines long-term planning and investment for farm businesses and Red Tractor has fed this back to Defra in no uncertain terms.   

As part of our commitment to supporting farmers, Red Tractor will continue to advocate for stability and clarity in agricultural policy. We will also work with industry bodies to explore ways to address this gap and ensure that assurance continues to support sustainable farming practices.

2025/26 Business Plan: Red Tractor’s key priorities

The Board approved our 2025/26 Business Plan and budget, which prioritise:

  • Rebuilding farmer trust by strengthening engagement and addressing concerns raised in the FAR.
  • Delivering the FAR recommendations to improve operational efficiency with a sharp focus on reducing the audit burden.
  • Using Red Tractor to support farmers’ competitiveness, grow consumer loyalty in the UK, and facilitate export growth in an increasingly global market.

Engaging with you

Your input remains vital to helping us shape the future of assurance. I’d like to invite you to join me for our upcoming webinar on Monday, 28 April, at 7pm, where we’ll discuss our response to the FAR in greater detail and outline the steps we’ll take to deliver positive change. You can register for the webinar. A recording will also be available for those unable to join.

In addition, we’ll be hosting a series of in-person events over the coming months to share updates on our plans and to hear your feedback on the issues that matter most to you. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Thank you again for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to producing high-quality, assured food. Together, we can ensure that the Red Tractor scheme continues to deliver meaningful benefits for farmers, consumers, and the entire food supply chain.

Best wishes,

Alistair Mackintosh, Red Tractor Interim Chair 

 

Red Tractor Board members:

  • David Exwood – Industry Director
  • Will Jackson – AHDB
  • Dean Holroyd – Industry Director
  • Sophie Throup – Industry Director
  • John Pain – Independent Director
  • Chris Goodwin – Independent Director
  • James Russell – Independent Director
  • John Reed – Industry Director
  • John Dracup – Beef & Lamb Sector Director
  • Tim Lock – Dairy Sector Director
  • Lucy MacLennan – Fresh Produce Sector Director
  • Stewart Houston CBE, FRAgS – Pig  Sector Director
  • Iain Gardner – Poultry Sector Director
  • Kit Papworth – Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet Sector Director
  • Jim Moseley – Chief Executive

Find out more about how decisions are made at Red Tractor. 

28 Apr 2025

Red Tractor seeking views on industry proposals to introduce tiered approach to pig standards 

Red Tractor seeking views on industry proposals to introduce tiered approach to pig standards 

 

28 April 2025:  At the request of industry, the Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board is seeking views on proposals to introduce tiered welfare standards and labelling for UK pigmeat. The proposed approach could reduce audit cost and complexity for producers and simplify consumer choice.

 

Building on the success and recognition of the existing Red Tractor Certified Standards logo, Red Tractor is consulting on a modular approach to welfare standards for the pigs sector – similar to the tiered model introduced for the poultry sector in 2020. The proposed system includes two new voluntary tiers, each with its own dedicated logo:

 

  • Enhanced Welfare: Pork from outdoor-bred or outdoor-reared pigs finished indoors, with more space and a solid, bedded lying area.
  • Free Range: Pork from pigs with continuous outdoor access.

 

Included in the consultation are some adjustments to the existing standards. These are required to ensure the equivalence with other assurance schemes that will deliver the reduced cost and complexity, and to ensure core standards reflect best practice. While the Pig TAC believes that many outdoor and indoor producers already operate at the proposed standards, the consultation is designed to establish precise views.

 

Expanding the use of these tiers from poultry to pork aims to provide a clear, trusted guide for shoppers, reassuring them that Red Tractor-certified pork meets a range of high standards for welfare and distinguishing those that go beyond Red Tractor’s core standards of animal welfare.

 

Stewart Houston, Red Tractor Pigs Chairman commented:

 

“For pig producers, their commitment to animal welfare is at the heart of everything they do. The Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board believes the proposed labelling system would provide a clearer, simpler way for our members to communicate and differentiate their welfare standards. It could also enhance consumers’ ability to make informed purchasing decisions by uniting existing tiers within the pork category under a suite of Red Tractor logos.

 

“The development of the voluntary Enhanced Welfare and Free Range tiers for pork also demonstrates Red Tractor’s swift delivery against the Farm Assurance Review. The proposed system could remove the need for producers to juggle multiple assurance schemes, reducing audit burden and associated costs. Processors could also benefit from lower licence fees and simplified packaging by using a unified Red Tractor logo system.

 

“Red Tractor is committed to engaging with as many pig members, processors, retailers, vets, and other stakeholders as possible to ensure Red Tractor assurance continues to deliver for them. The Pigs Sector Board will only introduce the changes if there is majority support from the UK pig industry. I encourage everyone to share their views and help shape the future of UK pig farming.”

 

Supporting the industry transition to flexible farrowing:

 

There is growing momentum within the UK pig sector towards flexible farrowing, with reduced confinement of sows compared to conventional farrowing crates. The sector is keen for this to be industry-led rather than legislated by government.

 

Red Tractor has supported the pig industry’s voluntary initiatives before, like antibiotic use reporting, and sees an opportunity to do the same here by providing clear standards for flexible farrowing and a mechanism to market it to consumers. Red Tractor is therefore considering a new “Certified Standards Plus” tier, with flexible farrowing as the key criteria. It is seeking views from the pig sector on whether such a tier would help support an industry-led transition to flexible farrowing, to avoid conflicting retailer requirements and reduce business uncertainty.

 

Stewart Houston commented:

 

“This approach could demonstrate proactive welfare improvements and potentially reduce the need for heavy-handed legislation, while supporting producers in meeting evolving expectations. While this tier is still under development and not expected to launch in the near future without further consideration, Red Tractor is looking for early input from producers to help shape the long-term development of this potential additional voluntary tier.”

 

Red Tractor’s tiered labelling is grounded in extensive UK and international consumer research. A recent study involving over 3,000 UK shoppers demonstrated strong recognition and understanding of the proposed tiered logos, supported by Red Tractor’s position as the most trusted food assurance mark in the UK. The proposed logos ensure consistency of labelling across the pork and poultry protein categories, helping consumers navigate choices confidently and reducing confusion caused by overlapping farm assurance claims.

 

 

Consultation:

 

  • To learn more about the proposals and respond to the consultation, click here.
  • The consultation runs from 28 April to 6 June 2025 and is open to all pig producers, industry stakeholders, and supply chain customers.
  • Respondents can provide feedback anonymously if preferred, and all input will help finalise the standards to ensure they are workable and beneficial for the industry.
  • The Red Tractor Sector Board will review the feedback at the next meeting (25 June 2025) and based on industry feedback, decide on whether to introduce the new modules. If there isn’t clear support, we won’t proceed.

 

Methodology:

 

  • The proposed standards have been developed by the Red Tractor Pigs Technical Advisory Committee, supported by a dedicated task and finish group including a mix of TAC members, vets and welfare experts, and four additional pig producers representing various systems, indoor, flexible farrowing outdoor-bred and free-range systems.
  • Over six detailed meetings, the group refined the proposals before putting forward their recommended standards to the Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board for approval to go out to formal consultation. Retailers were involved at the TAC level only. The Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board have overseen and scrutinised the development of the proposals.
  • Details of the Pigs TAC and Sector Board membership can be found here

25 Apr 2025

Championing British Standards – Why Great British Beef Week Matters More Than Ever!

25 April 2025

This Great British Beef Week, there’s never been a more important time to rally behind our British beef farmers and the values they uphold. 

Leading this effort is the Red Tractor logo: a symbol of trust and quality. In a world where food supply chains are increasingly globalised and complex, choosing British Red Tractor assured beef is a conscious decision to back our farmers, our economy, and our countryside.   It’s also a commitment to robust standards of animal welfare, food safety, and responsible farming.  

Today, the beef sector is navigating a period of both challenge and opportunity. Rising costs for feed, energy, and labour over the past 18 months have placed significant pressure on farm margins. Yet, alongside these pressures, there’s a growing consumer demand for responsibly produced beef driven by people who want greater reassurance about the way their food is produced. 

At the same time, new trade agreements, including potential deals with countries like the United States, could increase the availability of imported beef produced to very different standards. Unlike British Red Tractor beef, much of this imported beef may not meet the same rigorous benchmarks on animal welfare or traceability. 

This makes the Red Tractor logo even more important. It’s more than just a label, it’s a clear, independent guarantee of quality British products and farming practices consumers can trust. It ensures that UK consumers have access to safe, responsibly produced food that is traceable back to British farms, whatever their budget. 

When we choose British Red Tractor beef, we are investing in: 

  • Local Communities – British farmers are the heartbeat of our rural economies. Every steak, burger, or roast we buy directly supports jobs, businesses, and families across the country. 
  • Robust Standards and Uncompromising Quality – Red Tractor sets rigorous standards, covering every stage of production from farm to fork. 
  • Lower Food Miles – UK produced beef means fewer food miles. 
  • The Future of British Farming – Choosing British beef helps ensure that our farms remain vibrant, competitive, and sustainable for future generations. 

At Red Tractor we see first-hand the dedication and effort that goes into meeting our standards every single day. We are proud to champion the hard work of our farmers, individuals and families who are not just producing exceptional food but are also custodians of our countryside and our food heritage. 

Great British Beef Week is a perfect opportunity to shine a light on the commitment of our farmers, who are rising to the challenges before them. Whether it’s a perfectly cooked sirloin, a slow-roasted brisket, or burgers on the barbecue, British Red Tractor beef offers unbeatable quality and peace of mind. 

This Great British Beef Week let’s celebrate not just the incredible taste and versatility of British beef, but the people, principles, and passion behind every bite. 

And why stop there? Let’s carry that spirit forward every week of the year, by choosing Red Tractor British beef, supporting our farmers, and proudly backing the standards that set us apart. 

Buy British. Choose Red Tractor. Support the future of farming. 

 

 

Debbie Smith
Debbie Smith (nee Butcher) is Scheme Member Manager at Red Tractor. With a strong background in the beef and lamb sector, Debbie previously served as a Senior Analyst at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), where she specialised in market intelligence and sector strategy. Having worked closely with farmers, processors, and retailers her experience gives her a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry today.  

24 Apr 2025

New Portal Features: Making Life on the Farm Easier

24 April 2025

The Red Tractor Portal is our online platform for members to manage compliance with our standards. Members can upload documents, track requirements, and prepare for their assessment. Assessors use it to review evidence before visiting the farm. As part of our response to the Farm Assurance Review, we are committing to improve and develop our online portal even more than we have already, ensuring that everyone can benefit from reduced on-farm audit times and less paperwork.

There are some exciting new features in response to member feedback designed to streamline the experience:

🛠 Mark Requirements “Not Applicable”

Focus only on what matters — skip non-relevant requirements easily.

📝 Leave Comments on Requirements
Flag when one document covers multiple standards. (Assessors can’t edit the notes.)

📆 Set Expiry Dates for Documents
Stay ahead of deadlines by tracking expiring evidence.

🧠 Smarter, Site-Specific Checklists
Dynamic, printable checklists personalised for sites.

Mass Assign Documents
Apply the same document to multiple sectors in one click.

📂 See All Documents in One Place
Quickly view all documents uploaded, even for old memberships.

🧹 Simplified Category Listings
A cleaner, decluttered sidebar for easier navigation.

Improving Efficiency for Assessors Too

The portal must function well for everyone involved in the process to ensure a smooth assessment experience. So, we have improved the assessor features of the platform too.

Fiona Priestley, a Red Tractor assessor, encourages farmers and assessors to take full advantage of the portal:

“I believe the Red Tractor portal provides a real opportunity for farmers and assessors to collaborate more effectively, making the process more flexible and time efficient. The recent improvements have made it easier for me as an assessor. By allowing farmers and growers to upload documents in advance, the portal helps spread the audit workload, reducing the pressure on the farmer of having to complete everything during the on-farm visit.

This not only saves valuable time but also streamlines the process, making audits smoother and more manageable.

The more farmers and assessors make use of the portal, the greater the benefit – less time spent on paperwork, fewer disruptions on the farm, and a more efficient system overall. I see this as a great step forward in easing the burden on producers, and I would encourage everyone to make the most of it!”

If you haven’t started using the Red Tractor Portal yet — now’s the perfect time!

Signing up is simple.
📖 We have written and video guides online. Click here
☎ Need help? Call the Red Tractor team at 020 7630 3320.

 

 

23 Apr 2025

How Red Tractor is Reducing Audit Burden for Fresh Produce Growers

23 April 2025

Making Certification Easier and More Affordable for Fresh Produce Members

At Red Tractor, we’ve been dedicated to making certification more efficient, cost-effective, and grower-friendly for Fresh Produce members. By benchmarking our standards against major farm assurance schemes, we eliminate duplication, cut audit costs, and simplify the compliance process.


Streamlining Through Benchmarking: GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Fruit & Vegetables (and Hops)

By benchmarking with GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Fruit & Vegetables (and Hops), we now offer dual certification via a single joint assessment.

✅ No separate audits
✅ Less paperwork
✅ Faster compliance
✅ Easier access to domestic and international markets

Growers can also complete GLOBALG.A.P. add-ons like GRASP at the same time, maximising efficiency without extra site visits.


Collaboration with McDonald’s: Reducing Duplication for Leafy Salad Growers

In 2023, a policy change by McDonald’s increased audit demands for UK leafy salad growers.
In response, Red Tractor worked closely with McDonald’s to create a bespoke add-on that integrates directly into the Red Tractor audit.

✅ Single assessment
✅ Lower costs
✅ Reduced audit times

This pilot project is making a real difference for growers, cutting out duplication while maintaining high standards.


Integrated Tesco Nurture Requirements: One Assessment, Complete Compliance

Before 2018, growers supplying Tesco had to undergo a separate Tesco Nurture audit. Since April 2018, Tesco’s additional food safety standards have been fully integrated into the Red Tractor Fresh Produce audit.

✅ No more extra audits
✅ Lower audit costs
✅ Strong alignment with Tesco’s quality, food safety, and environmental expectations


Achieving Gold Status: Recognised Excellence with SAI Platform’s FSA 3.0

On 1st February 2025, our updated Red Tractor Fresh Produce standards achieved Gold Benchmark status from the SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment 3.0 (FSA).

This major milestone allows Fresh Produce growers to:

🌎 Demonstrate compliance with international environmental standards
🌎 Strengthen their global market access
🌎 Showcase their commitment to sustainability


What Growers Are Saying

“Incorporating benchmarking and add-ons has helped simplify the audit process on-farm. By aligning multiple standards—including Red Tractor, LEAF, Tesco, GlobalG.A.P + GRASP, and McDonald’s—we’ve reduced duplication and streamlined assessments. Carrying out these audits on the same day with a single assessor has made the process more manageable while ensuring we continue to exceed customer assurance requirements.”

D’Arcie Rice, Senior Commercial & Technical Manager at G’s


Committed to Continuous Improvement

At Red Tractor, we’re committed to:

🌱 Supporting growers with more efficient and globally recognised certification
🌱 Addressing additional audit burdens created by processor and customer audits
🌱 Working with retailers to find practical solutions that benefit the entire supply chain

We’ll be consulting with sector boards, processors, and customers to drive further improvements and build a better future for Fresh Produce growers.

22 Apr 2025

Producers Invited to Help Shape the Future of the pig industry  

22 April 2025

Red Tractor is calling on pig producers and industry stakeholders to help shape new proposals for pig production standards and labelling in the UK.

In response to concerns over audit burden, financial pressures, and uncertainty around future standards, Red Tractor’s Pigs Sector Board has developed proposals that include introducing tiered welfare standards and on-pack labelling, similar to its Poultry Scheme.

Key areas for consultation include new Enhanced Welfare and Free-Range modules, clearer labelling for consumers, and a phased move away from conventional farrowing crates, with potential recognition for flexible farrowing systems.

Producers and stakeholders are invited to join a live webinar.

Hosted by Stewart Houston (Pigs Sector Chair) and Georgina McDowell (Technical Manager), the webinar will explain the background and development of Red Tractor’s proposed tiered welfare labelling and standards, how the proposals have been shaped by farmer and industry input, provide an overview of the proposed tiers, including updates to some core standards, and outline how to engage via our consultation.

Thursday 24th April at 5:00 PM
Register here: Webinar Registration 

The formal consultation will open later this month, offering producers and stakeholders the chance to directly influence future standards across the sector.

25 Mar 2025

Red Tractor owners appoint Alistair Mackintosh as Red Tractor Chair

OWNERSHIP BODY APPOINTS ALISTAIR MACKINTOSH AS CHAIR OF RED TRACTOR

Friday 23 May 2025: The Ownership Body of Assured Food Standards (AFS), responsible for the Red Tractor food assurance programme, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Mackintosh as Chair of the AFS Board of Directors. The appointment follows a comprehensive and rigorous selection process.

In a joint statement, the Ownership Body said:

“Alistair brings a wealth of experience and continuity to the role, having served as Interim Chair during a pivotal period for Red Tractor. Under his leadership, the organisation has made significant progress in responding to the Campbell Tickell and Farm Assurance Reviews, with key recommendations now actively being adopted. His appointment reflects the Ownership Body’s confidence in his ability to lead Red Tractor forward with clarity, integrity, and a strong commitment to robust assurance standards.”
The Ownership Body has also accepted the Campbell Tickell and Farm Assurance Reviews’ recommendations that, in addition to its current responsibilities in regard to appointment of AFS Board members and Chair and adoption of the annual report, the Ownership Body should play a more active role. While the AFS Board will retain full responsibility for the governance of the organisation, the Ownership Body will support the Chair as the AFS Board considers the recommendations of both Reviews.
Alistair Mackintosh, a Cumbrian beef, sheep and arable farmer, has been serving as Interim Chair of Red Tractor since 1 July 2024.

Alistair Mackintosh honoured to be appointed the new Chair

Alistair said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chair of Red Tractor, an organisation that I believe has a central role to play in ensuring confidence in British food and farming. I am totally committed to rebuilding farmer’s trust in Red Tractor. There’s a great deal of work to do and I look forward to working with the Ownership Body, AFS Board and Red Tractor team as we continue to deliver the improvements needed.”
Alistair is the first farmer to be appointed as Chair of the AFS Board in Red Tractor’s 25-year history. Alistair has a long history of championing the farming industry and has previously served as NFU’s livestock chairman and as a member of the NFU Council.
Prior to his appointment as Interim Chair, Alistair held the positions of Vice Chair on the AFS Board and Chair of the Red Tractor Beef & Lamb Sector Board. Last August he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cumbrian Farming Awards.

About Red Tractor’s Ownership Body

The Red Tractor food assurance programme is owned and run by the registered company Assured Food Standards (AFS). AFS is owned by a coalition of trade bodies: The NFU, NFU Scotland, Ulster Farmers Union, AHDB, Dairy UK and the British Retail Consortium. Each owner organization provides the ‘limited by guarantee’ of £1 to AFS, which operates as a not-for-profit company. The Food and Drink Federation is also an observer of the Ownership Body. Details of how the Ownership Body delegates responsibility to the AFS Board of Directors can be found on the here.

25 Mar 2025

Crops & Sugarbeet Sector Board, Farm Assurance Review Discussions – February 2025

Following publication of the Red Tractor Board’s response to the Farm Assurance Review (FAR) I can now share the discussions we had about the report at the Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet Sector Board meeting held on 28 February.  

The meeting focused almost exclusively on addressing recommendations from the FAR and explored ways to improve outcomes for growers and the wider industry. The Sector Board agreed that collaboration with key stakeholders, including AHDB and NFU, was essential, but raised concerns about tight timescales and allocation of actions with an eye on ensuring progress. Given the FAR’s specific focus on crops assurance, the NFU representatives around the table emphasised the importance of correctly implementing recommendation 6.1 and queried the appropriateness of pursuing a Red Tractor entry-level feed standard at this stage. 

We discussed some of the key FAR recommendations, including the need to seek earned recognition for including legalisation in the Red Tractor standards, enhanced use of technology, and streamlined audit processes. Examples such as geotagging for compliance and introducing risk-based systems were seen as opportunities worthy of consideration. There were concerns about inconsistent use of tools like the Red Tractor Portal by assessors, which has undermined goodwill among growers. The Sector Board also acknowledged the role of AHDB in driving digital transformation, though attendees emphasised Red Tractor must act quicker to deliver on farm improvements. 

The Sector Board also debated how farmers should be engaged in decision-making and recognised a need for balanced transparency. While there were differences of opinion across the farmer and supply chain representatives around the level of farmer involvement in shaping standards all agreed they are vital in shaping standards, improving communication with all stakeholders was identified as a critical area of improvement. Regarding the prospect of introducing greater environmental standards, the Sector Board agreed the supply chain should state its environmental expectations while respecting growers’ concerns. 

Best Wishes,  

Kit Papworth,

Chair, Combinable Crops and Sugarbeet Board. 

Members of the Crops board:

Angela Bowden – Oilseed Crushers  

Jamie Burrows – Cereals grower

James Mills – Cereals grower

Matthew Culley – Cereals grower

Julian South – MAGB

Patrick Mitton – Pesticide Issues Consultant

Brin Hughes – BOBMA

Tom Wood – AIC/Grain Merchants

Peter Chandley – Weetabix

Sarah Woolford – AHDB

Nick Morris – Sugar manufacturer

Joe Brennan – UK Flour Millers

Gill Barrow – AIC/Grain Merchants

Ed Dale – Sugar beet grower

Nigel Davies – TAC Chair

Harriette Roberts – BRC

25 Mar 2025

Beef & Lamb Sector Board, Farm Assurance Review discussions – February 2025

Now that the Red Tractor Board has released its response to the Farm Assurance Review (FAR), I’m pleased to share the key points we discussed about the report during the Beef & Lamb Sector Board meeting on 20 February. 

For 25 years Red Tractor has contributed to keeping food standards high. But in a changing world, with shifting consumer expectations and regulatory landscapes, there was agreement upon the need to recognise the successes of the past but also redefine the purpose of Red Tractor for the future. 

The FAR makes recommendations about improving efficiency, recognising existing farm data to reduce unnecessary paperwork, and ensuring greater consistency across different assurance schemes. Farmer representatives expressed concerns, not for the first time, about the complexity and duplication of audits and suggested that a streamlined approach might encourage engagement.  

The report discusses transparency in decision-making and the need for greater farmer involvement in shaping standards. Some Sector Board members advocated for the Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) to have a stronger role in final decision-making, rather than leaving key decisions solely in the hands of the Sector Board. It was agreed that greater acceptance for standard changes could be achievable if farmers truly understood the reasons behind introducing a change to standards.  

Processors and retailers broadly supported the review, seeing it as an opportunity to modernise farm assurance and strengthen Red Tractor’s credibility. However, retailers emphasised balance. They value the role of farmers but also the need to ensure their customers feel confident in the products they buy. Generally, retailers and processors advocated for expanding sustainability and welfare requirements to meet consumer expectations, while farmers and trade representatives warned that excessive requirements could make participation in the scheme more burdensome.  

Simplifying processes was welcomed by retailers, but not at the expense of scrutiny or responding to changing consumer expectations. The key point they made is that any changes must enhance, not dilute Red Tractors reputation.  

The challenge of changing was discussed. While most Sector Board members agreed that rapid change was unrealistic, doing nothing was also not an option. The consensus was that if Red Tractor doesn’t adapt, customers may seek alternative solutions. Yet, there was also a danger: rushing reform without clarity could lead to confusion, resistance, or even weakened standards.  

The concluding sentiment from the Sector Board was that this is a great opportunity for improvement and progress. The Farm Assurance Review has offered an opportunity to reshape Red Tractors role in the livestock industry to be “fit for the future”.  

Kind regards,

John Dracup,

Chair, Red Tractor Beef & Lamb Board

Members of the Beef and Lamb board:

David Morgan – NFU

Samantha Charlton – AHDB

Alice Liddle – BRC/Food Service

Zanna Dennis – Livestock Auctioneers Association

Bryan Griffiths – National Sheep Association

Sarah Haire – Processor

Phil Hambling – British Meat Processors Association

Henry Blain – Multiple Retailer

Natalie Smith – Multiple Retailer

         Andrew Crutchley – BCVA