A six-week consultation has opened for farmers and wider industry stakeholders to have their say on proposed changes to Red Tractor’s Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards.
Delivering practical improvements to assurance
The consultation period is an important opportunity for farmers to consider what the proposed changes would mean in practice on their farm, and for vets, advisers and others across the industry to assess whether the proposals are clear and workable.
John Dracup, chair of the Beef & Lamb Sector Board, says this process follows Red Tractor’s commitment to deliver practical improvements to assurance.
“We want to hear all points of view, but particularly those of farmers,” he says.
“No two farms are the same, so it’s important we hear from a range of businesses. If something is unclear, or there’s a more practical way of demonstrating compliance, we want to know.”
A farm-specific approach
The sector specific Technical Advisory Committees, made up of farmers, vets, processors, retailers and other industry representatives, have reviewed every audit point line by line against set criteria.
Their subsequent proposed changes have also been scrutinised by the Beef & Lamb and Dairy Sector Boards and considered by Red Tractor’s Standards Committee. Representatives of all these committees have reached consensus on the proposals now being put out for consultation.
Key changes across both schemes include fewer prescriptive audit points and a more farm-specific approach to livestock health planning, including an annual review focused on each farm’s health priorities and an agreed action plan.
By consolidating and reordering requirements and removing prescriptive detail where it does not add value, the proposals reduce the requirements for Beef & Lamb by one third, and for Dairy by one quarter.
For Beef & Lamb, the proposals include a small number of additional requirements on practical welfare and resilience, covering extreme weather, feed safety, disease planning, nutrient management and housing.
For Dairy, alongside the changes shared with Beef & Lamb, proposals include a new code of conduct on animal care and handling, plus recommendations on cow comfort, environmental enrichment and foot-trimming competence.
Making standards clearer and more practical
By aligning the Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards, farmers in England assured for both dairy and beef will benefit from a significant reduction in duplication between the two sets of standards.
Tim Lock, chair of the Dairy Sector Board, says: “The aim is to make the standards clearer and more practical.
“In most cases, what’s expected of the farmers remains the same, but should make preparation for assessments and demonstrating compliance easier.
“Importantly, the proposed changes also ensure that standards continue to deliver confidence in the market.”
A genuine opportunity for farmers to shape what comes next
Feedback will be reviewed by the Beef & Lamb and Dairy Technical Advisory Committees and Sector Boards, which will consider the feedback before confirming which of the proposals move forward.
Mr Lock says: “This is a genuine opportunity for farmers to help shape what comes next.”
Alongside the standards review, Red Tractor is also reviewing how assessments are carried out, including assessment cycles, what is checked, and how technology can support the process. These changes have the potential to deliver further efficiencies while maintaining rigour, and will be shared as the work develops.
The consultation period runs from 22 September to 3 November 2026 and is open to all stakeholders. Beef & Lamb and Dairy scheme members can view the proposed changes and respond to the consultation at www.redtractor.org.uk/bld-consultation.
Similar consultations for proposed changes to standards for Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet, Fresh Produce, Pigs and Poultry will follow later in the year.
David Barton made an important contribution to the Beef & Lamb standards review through his role at the NFU, and Red Tractor would like to recognise his commitment to the sector.