In December 2025, Red Tractor announced a full review of its farm standards, focused on reducing audit burden, streamlining assessments, and ensuring standards remain fit for the future.
The review is highly consultative, led by Sector Boards and involving representatives from across the supply chain.
Speaking on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, Red Tractor CEO Paul McLaughlin explained why this work takes time:
“When you’re working across the whole industry on a consensus basis, everyone has to agree – and that does take time. Developing standards is a bit like an iceberg – much happens beneath the surface. What’s encouraging is the number of people working through the standards line by line. It’s better to take the time and get this right than move quickly and get it wrong.”
More than 40,000 farmers and growers, accounting for 75% of UK food production, are assured to Red Tractor standards, helping them to demonstrate the integrity and provenance of their produce to customers who ask for assurance throughout their supply chain. Therefore, striking the right balance between pace and allowing time for constructive debate and thorough consultation is essential.
Representative decision-making
Sector Boards and Technical Advisory Committees are made up of representatives from across the supply chain including:
- NFU, AHDB and farming associations
- Processors, packers and retailers
- Technical experts, including vets and agronomists
As the review progresses, here’s a summary of where we are now, and what will happen next.
Where we are now – developing sector-specific standards
In 2025, Sector Boards representing each of Red Tractor’s six farming sectors agreed priorities and objectives for the future of assurance, informed by the recommendations of the Farm Assurance Review. These were published in December, alongside an opportunity for all stakeholders, including farmers and growers, to provide feedback.
In February 2026, Sector Boards tasked their Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) with conducting a full, line-by-line review of all standards, ensuring that any feedback was taken into account.
This process has involved extensive discussion and debate across dozens of meetings. TAC members, most of whom volunteer their time, have committed significant effort and many days of their time to this process.
Alongside TACs, Red Tractor’s technical teams have also drawn on expertise from across the industry, including farming unions, government, regulators, retailers, certification bodies, and technical specialists.
The aim is to develop robust, practical proposals that reflect both industry priorities and on-farm realities, that everyone on the Sector Board can stand behind.
Reflecting on the process, Paul McLaughlin said:
“It’s important to emphasise that these standards are being developed by the farmers and industry representatives who sit on Sector Boards and TACs. Red Tractor’s role is to facilitate the process, but responsibility for agreeing what’s required sits with those committees, representing the full breadth of the supply chain. Reaching consensus across diverse views isn’t always easy, but there’s strong respect for different perspectives and a shared commitment to getting the balance right, overseen by the Sector Chairs.”
What happens next – agreement and consultation
Proposed updates will be reviewed by Sector Boards and then the Standards Committee, a sub-group of the main Red Tractor Board. This phase will take place over the summer, with sectors progressing at their own pace, allowing time for meaningful debate and any new evidence to be considered.
Formal consultation is planned for autumn 2026 providing stakeholders from across the supply chain with a clear opportunity to share their views on the proposed changes.
Six Sector Boards
- Beef & Lamb
- Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet
- Dairy
- Fresh Produce
- Pigs
- Poultry
Finishing and implementing standards
Sector Boards and TACs will reconvene in early 2027 to review consultation feedback and agree next steps.
A further alignment process will ensure consistency across sectors and avoid conflicting or duplicative requirements for producers assured for multiple sectors. TACs and Sector Boards will also consider potential operational changes, such as the frequency and scope of assessments and risk-based approaches.
Once standards and any other changes to assessments are finalised, implementation will involve developing the systems and processes needed to deliver assurance. This includes assessor training, updated guidance, and system changes across Red Tractor and certification body platforms.
Standards also need to be approved by UKAS, the UK’s accreditation body – a process expected to take around six months.
New standards are therefore likely to be published in late 2027, when on-farm implementation timelines will be confirmed.
Paul McLaughlin added:
“We recognise the time, effort and professionalism that farmers and growers put into delivering standards every day. This is why we are focused on making the scheme clearer, simpler and more practical, while protecting the trusted standards behind British food. By taking the time to consult widely and work through the detail, the review aims to deliver standards that reflect real on-farm challenges, while delivering the recognition farmers deserve well into the future.”