Message from Stewart Houston, Pigs Sector Chair, Red Tractor
Dear Members,
The Pigs Sector Board met on 17 February 2026. As always, our discussions covered a wide range of topics affecting the sector, from sustainability and animal welfare to regulatory changes and workforce culture.
Soy and Sustainability
Nick Major, Chair of the Poultry Sector, updated us on deforestation-free soy. The new Agricultural Supply Chain Sustainability (ASCS) scheme, launched by Agricultural Industries Confederation, aims to provide a single, workable system for ensuring deforestation-free soy. Audits are expected to start from Q2 2026, and the scheme will likely become the main route for supply chains seeking certified soy.
Review of feedback on priorities for the pigs sector
The board reviewed feedback received from stakeholders on the priorities published in December for improvements to Red Tractor’s pig scheme. While the feedback represented only a small proportion of stakeholders, it provided some useful insight on topics including animal welfare, farrowing and opportunities to reduce audit burden. The board agreed that the feedback confirms the existing priorities and will pass technical points to the TAC for consideration as they review the standards.
Flexible Farrowing – A changing landscape
A major focus of the meeting was a discussion about the footprint for a Red Tractor flexible pen specification. Some Red Tractor units have already made the move away from conventional pens and thousands of new flexi pens are being built or planned. The discussion highlighted that layout and management are just as important as square metres. Factors like the sow’s turning circle, pen design, ventilation, and the timing of crate opening can also have a great impact on welfare. Larger pens, while offering more space, can also bring challenges around temperature control, piglet care, and staff safety if not managed carefully.
The board agreed with the TAC recommendation that early adopters must be protected with grandfather rights if Red Tractor set a specification.
Environmental Standards
We discussed if Red Tractor should supply the industry to meet environmental challenges, particularly around water and air quality. Most metrics, such as carbon, water, and waste, are already covered by retailers or regulation.
There was little appetite for Red Tractor to look at sustainability at this time. The TAC was already looking at existing Red Tractor environmental protection standards to consider if there is a need to strengthen and would report back to Board.
WATOK Licensing
Another key issue we discussed was government regulation and process in relation WATOK licence application. Red Tractor has been in direct discussions with Defra and APHA to seek solutions. Expected within the next 3 months for England, the license application process will be changed to include electronic application process, group applications, better scheduling of APHA visits and inclusion of farm vet attestation as proposed by the PVS. The situation remains less clear in Wales and Northern Ireland where clarification is being sought. Red Tractor will communicate with members when possible. In the meantime, a derogation will apply to the related standard.
Animal welfare and handling
We also discussed the ongoing importance of compliance in the context of animal welfare campaigns. Red Tractor is working with representatives from across the industry to raise awareness of risks and how to manage the increasing likelihood of activist activity on farms. Retailers support this coordinated approach, helping protect members and maintain confidence across the supply chain.
Finally, the board recognised that good welfare depends on culture as much as compliance. There is a need for more practical, face-to-face training across the industry and clearer expectations for what “good welfare culture” looks like.
Stewart Houston
Chair, Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board
Pigs Sector Board Members:
- Stewart Houston – Chair
- Grace O’ Gorman – TAC Chair
- William de Klein – Processor
- Lizzie Wilson – NPA
- Stephen Waite – Processor
- Natalie Smith (substitute for Jemma Flitton) – Retailer
- Alex Thomsett – PVS
- Mark Haighton – AHDB
- Muhamed Maliki – Processor
- Pig Producer Reps x 4