Red Tractor is supporting Yellow Wellies to encourage farmers to seek help

Farming is an industry where resilience is often worn as a badge of honour but it’s important to recognise the impact of poor mental wellbeing. Nobody should have to face their struggles alone. Each of us has a role to play in creating a healthier and more supportive environment to live and work in.

Red Tractor is supporting The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) to encourage farmers to seek help. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of mental health in the farming industry and to reduce the stigma around poor mental health.

Farmer wellbeing levels in decline

Research from the September 2025 Farm Safety and Wellbeing survey reveals a decline in mental wellbeing among British farmers over the age of 40. Wellbeing levels have dropped to the lowest point in four years. The data also highlights a disparity between the overall wellbeing within the farming community, which has been measured against the general population. The shows there is an urgent need for targeted support and intervention.

We cannot farm through mental health struggles

Red Tractor Chair, Alistair Mackintosh says: “We often talk about ‘farming through’ every challenge, be it weather, markets, or disease, but we cannot ‘farm through’ a mental health struggle.

“These latest findings are a sobering wake-up call. It is no longer enough to just work hard, we must work to look out for one another. Admitting things are tough isn’t a failure of character, it’s a necessary step to ensure our farms and our families have a future.

“We owe it to ourselves to speak up before the silence becomes too heavy to carry.”

If you’re struggling, talking to someone can make a big difference. Whether it’s family, friends, or a professional. Reaching out is a sign of strength.

Organisations there for you:

• Farming Community Network (FCN) – Pastoral and practical support, helpline 7am-11pm every day. t: 03000 111 999
• YANA Project – Confidential mental health support and counselling funding in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Worcestershire. t: 0300 323 0400
• DPJ Foundation – Welsh mental health charity to support those in agriculture with mental health problems. t: 0800 587 4262
• RABI – Financial support for farming families facing hardship. t: 0800 188 4444
• Addington Fund – Housing and hardship grants for farming families in England and Wales. t: 01926 620135
• RSABI (Scotland) – Practical, financial, and emotional support for those in Scottish agriculture. t: 0808 1234 555
• Rural Support (NI) – Provides impartial support and guidance for the farming community in Northern Ireland. t: 0800 138 1678

Support is always available and you are never alone.

As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, it’s an important moment to reflect on the lessons learnt and the ongoing significance of maintaining high standards to protect both food safety and our farming industry.

Alistair Mackintosh, Red Tractor Chair, shares his reflections on the devastating impact the FMD outbreak had on farming communities across the UK.

A year that changed farming

The 2001 outbreak reshaped the agricultural sector, and while some farms were not directly infected, all were impacted in some way.

Alistair recalls the challenges of managing his beef, sheep and arable farm while surrounded by FMD restrictions.

“At the time, people were talking about winners and losers, but there were no winners; everybody suffered in different ways,” he reflects.

The immediate focus of the outbreak was to stop the spread of the disease, and for those not infected, the key challenge was to restore trade.

Alistair remembers the restrictions on movement and trade that affected his farm operations: “I remember lambing with 800 sheep in one field, unable to move them. It was an absolute nightmare.”

The importance of border controls and British standards

Reflecting on those difficult times, Alistair emphasises the importance of maintaining high standards, particularly regarding the products imported into the UK.

“To prevent another outbreak, we must ensure our borders are properly controlled, and that imported products meet at least the same standards that British farmers adhere to,” he says.

In particular, Alistair highlights the growing concern among farmers about imported goods produced to lower standards. This, he warns, not only jeopardises the UK’s farming industry but also risks exposing consumers to subpar products.

Protecting farmers and consumers

The aftermath of the FMD outbreak reinforced the need for rigorous measures to protect UK farmers from imported diseases and to ensure consumers continue to have access to high-quality, safe food products.

As Alistair points out: “British farmers must always be vigilant in preventing another outbreak of this terrible disease, and it’s vital that government continues to protect our borders from illegal meat coming into the UK.”

This has never been more important, especially as the food supply chain becomes increasingly global.

Proper enforcement of border controls and maintaining high standards for imported products are essential for safeguarding both the industry and public health.

How Red Tractor contributes to rebuilding trust in British produce

The Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001 also underscored the need to rebuild trust in British food. Since then, assurance bodies like Red Tractor have played an important role in restoring consumer confidence.

“Farmers in the UK are committed to producing high-quality, affordable food. Red Tractor certification helps prove that commitment,” Alistair explains.

Independent auditors inspect farms every 12-18 months to ensure that they meet rigorous standards for animal welfare, food safety, and environmental responsibility.

Alistair believes that trust is built on transparency and proof, which is exactly what Red Tractor offers.

“It’s not enough to just tell people that we produce safe, sustainable food. We have to show it and that’s what Red Tractor’s assurance scheme is all about.”

Moving forward: maintaining robust standards

As the farming industry continues to evolve, Alistair stresses the importance of ongoing review and refinement of assurance standards.

“The FMD outbreak serves as a reminder of the need for robust, regularly reviewed standards to ensure consumer and retailer trust in British produce,” he adds.

The current review of all assurance standards within Red Tractor is an opportunity for farmers to engage and contribute to the ongoing development of the system.

As Alistair points out, “Farmers must have a voice in how standards evolve, ensuring that they align with the changing needs of the industry.”

At Red Tractor, our mission remains focused on safeguarding the reputation of British produce, supporting our farmers, and protecting consumers.

Working together in the leafy salads sector 

Food safety is at its strongest when the whole supply chain works together. Over the past two years, collaboration across the salads industry has played a vital role in shaping new standards designed to strengthen food safety, build confidence, and deliver consistent standards for growers and customers alike.

A shared response to a shared challenge

Following the 2024 outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) linked to supermarket sandwiches, the salads sector came together with renewed focus on food safety. In response, industry partners have worked collectively with Red Tractor to strengthen practices at grower level, including enhanced food safety training and a comprehensive review of existing guidance.

This work was informed by expertise and insight from across the supply chain, growers, retailers, trade bodies and technical specialists ensuring that lessons learned translated into practical improvements on farm. 

Industry-led momentum for change 

With strong retailer backing for the updated Microbiological Guidance for Growers (MGG), the British Leafy Salads Association (BLSA) and the Chilled Foods Association (CFA) approached Red Tractor in early 2025. Their request was clear: develop a dedicated leafy salads module that could provide a consistent, credible and industry-wide approach to food safety assurance. 

The shared ambition behind this was to: 

• Raise the bar on food safety at grower level 

• Demonstrate robust, trusted standards to customers 

• Reduce the need for multiple, individual customer audits 

Developing standards, together 

In response, and led by Barbara Bray MBE, Red Tractor brought together a specialist working group made up of respected experts from across the supply chain. This collaborative group combined scientific expertise with direct grower experience to develop a set of proposed standards that are: 

• Science-based, reflecting the latest evidence and guidance 

• Practical and achievable for growers 

• Grounded in real farming and growing conditions 

Speaking at the recent BLSA food safety workshop, Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Manager Sam Trevey said, “This work demonstrates the power of industry collaboration. By aligning expertise and sharing responsibility across the supply chain, we’re proposing standards that balance robust food safety with real-world practicality, shaped by those who know the sector best.” 

Members voices matter

The Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee is currently consulting on enhanced food safety standards for leafy salads growers.

The draft standards are now open for wider feedback, and further grower input will help us to shape the final outcome. Grower insights will help ensure the standards are practical, proportionate and work on farm.

Please submit feedback by Friday 13 February 2026.