Message from Veryan Bliss, Fresh Produce Sector Chair, Red Tractor
Dear Members,
The Fresh Produce Sector Board met on 25th June 2026 for a constructive and wide-ranging discussion covering the upcoming standards review, the launch of the leafy salads add-on, LEAF Marque v17, licensing, HSE pesticide store inspections and ongoing pressures facing growers across the sector.
Weather challenges
Weather was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Board members highlighted the impact of heat, heavy rainfall and changing growing conditions across a range of crops, including salads, potatoes, soft fruit, protected crops and root crops. While some crops are performing well, growers continue to face significant challenges around availability, quality, crop stress, water management, energy costs, market demand and margins.
The Board also discussed the continuing pressures in the potato sector, including the impacts of surplus production in Europe, reduced planted area in the UK and the need to stretch stored crop for longer than usual.
Changes to the Board
Phil Pearson has decided to step down from the Board, due to other commitments in the growing business. He has made a valuable contribution to the work of the Board and remains a strong advocate for the industry. Kelly Shields will also leave the Board in July when she leaves her role at the Fresh Produce Consortium. We are taking the opportunity to review our board membership and recruit new industry representatives where there is an identified need.
CEO introduction
The Board welcomed Red Tractor’s new CEO, Paul McLaughlin, who joined the meeting to introduce himself and share his perspective on the future direction of the scheme.
He emphasised the importance of sector autonomy and the role of the Sector Board and TAC in owning the development of the standards.
Sector engagement
There has been significant engagement across the fresh produce sector and the wider supply chain. This has included ongoing discussions with retailers, processors, licensees, trade bodies and industry groups, as well as LEAF. In addition, Red Tractor has attended events such as Festival of Fresh, which included a presentation from Sam Trevey, Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Manager, and was attended by a number of colleagues in order to engage with the sector and gather feedback on the current standards.
There was also discussion about how Red Tractor can better communicate the value of assurance to growers.
The Board discussed opportunities to showcase farmers and growers who are proud to farm under Red Tractor assurance and champion the value it brings.
Standards review and TAC update
The Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) continues to make strong progress with the review of the Fresh Produce Standards.
The review remains a significant and detailed piece of work. The TAC has now held 17 weekly meetings and has reviewed most of the core standards. Around 80% of the review has been completed, with additional operational areas still in progress.
The TAC has continued to focus on streamlining standards, reducing duplication and ensuring requirements remain practical, proportionate and based on risk. In addition, the review is considering crop risk, categorisation, additional guidance and how standards can better reflect the needs of different business types. Audit burden remains a key priority, particularly for smaller businesses and potato growers, who make up a significant proportion of the membership.
The Board discussed longer-term issues that may shape future standards, including food safety, pesticide regulation, climate impacts, people and skills, technology, AI, consumer trust and the potential for false or AI-generated evidence during audits. These are emerging risks that will require careful thought as assurance continues to evolve.
The TAC aims to have presented the proposed standards changes to the Sector Board by September when an additional board meeting will take place to sign-off ahead of consultation later in the year.
Leafy salads add-on
The Board received an update on the new leafy salads add-on, which launched on 1st June 2026 and is now being assessed alongside routine assessments for in-scope members.
Only a small number of assessments have been completed so far, but early feedback has been positive. The compliance issues identified to date have been minor, and assessor queries have been limited.
The add-on was developed in response to an industry request to strengthen food safety standards and the need for a clear, consistent mechanism to demonstrate existing good practice. It has been designed to reflect the work already being undertaken across much of the industry, while helping to raise the baseline and protect the reputation of the wider fresh produce sector.
Although the direct footprint of the add-on is relatively small, the broader reputational benefit is important. It provides a practical way for the industry to respond to emerging concerns, reduce the risk of multiple customer requirements and support one consistent approach.
LEAF Marque v17
The Board discussed the launch of LEAF Marque v17, which came into effect on 5th May 2026. This is a major revision, with changes to both the structure and detail of the standards.
Red Tractor is carrying out benchmarking work to compare LEAF Marque with the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Standards and identify areas of overlap. Further discussions with LEAF are planned to explore whether there may be opportunities for greater alignment, earned recognition or a more streamlined approach where standards already cover similar requirements.
The Board agreed that Red Tractor must continue to focus on reducing unnecessary audit burden, using digital tools where appropriate, and ensuring that growers are not unfairly impacted by duplication between assurance schemes.
Licensing and logo use
The Board welcomed colleagues from the Licensing team, who outlined their ambition for Red Tractor to be the standard for UK-grown fresh produce.
The Board discussed the importance of increasing visible logo use on assured produce and ensuring that Red Tractor’s value is clearly understood by retailers, licensees, growers and consumers.
The Licensing team explained that a Red Tractor claim is not limited to use of the logo. It can also include paperwork associated with the product status, use of Red Tractor terminology, buying specifications or customer codes of practice. The claim definition has not been changed, but there is a need for clearer communication to support understanding.
There was a discussion about how to keep Licensing fees accessible for growers, including the importance of a low minimum fee.
Looking ahead, the Board considered how the Red Tractor brand can remain visible and influential as the retail environment changes. As online shopping continues to grow, packaging reduces and AI-driven shopping tools become more common, it will be important to ensure assurance, trust and logo visibility remain present at the point of choice.
Pesticide store inspections
The Board revisited previous discussions about HSE pesticide store inspections and the potential for earned recognition but the topic will be raised with Defra and the Board kept updated.
Looking ahead
Thank you to all Board members, TAC members, contributors and Red Tractor colleagues for their continued commitment, insight and challenge.
The sector continues to face significant pressure, from weather volatility and market challenges to audit burden, regulation and changing consumer expectations. However, the engagement across the Fresh Produce Sector Board, TAC, supply chain and wider industry remains positive and constructive.
Our focus remains on supporting fresh produce farmers and growers in delivering robust due diligence. reducing unnecessary burden, strengthening trust in the Red Tractor scheme and ensuring our standards remain practical, proportionate and future ready.
Veryan Bliss
Chair, Red Tractor Fresh Produce Sector Board
Fresh Produce Sector Board Members:
- Veryan Bliss – Chair
- Tim Casey – Grower and NFU
- Jan Redpath – Grower and NFUS
- Damon Johnson – Retailer and BRC
- James Lee – Agronomist
- Kelly Shields – Fresh Produce Consortium
- Stephen Shields – Grower and NFU
- Barbara Bray MBE – TAC Chair
- Andrew McHardy – Retailer
- Jenny Heath – Grower
- John Walgate – BGA
- Andrew Knaggs – Grower and BLSA