12 Jun 2026

Collaboration and resilience: Festival of Fresh 2026

The UK fresh produce industry came together at Festival of Fresh 2026 on 10th June, hosted by G’s at their HQ in Barway, Cambridgeshire, for a day of insight, inspiration and connection across the sector.

Founded in 1952, G’s is one of the UK’s leading fresh produce businesses and Red Tractor licensee for a selection of their salads.

Established as one of the UK’s key industry gatherings, the event brought together growers, suppliers, retailers and innovators to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of fresh produce.

A sector navigating change

Opening remarks from G’s chairman, John Shropshire and CEO Guy Shropshire, set the tone for the day, with resilience emerging as a central theme in an increasingly complex operating environment. From supply chain pressures and labour availability, to rising energy costs and regulatory change, panels discussed the sector’s challenges openly and honestly. Discussions also highlighted the growing role of collaboration between industry and government, with speakers sharing perspectives on investment, domestic production and supply chain stability.

Strengthening the standards

Red Tractor’s Fresh Produce Technical Manager, Sam Trevey, set out how the assurance scheme is evolving to meet the sector’s changing needs. A key mention was the new leafy salads add-on – introduced in response to recent industry challenges – to strengthen food safety and raise standards across the board. With a full, line-by-line review of the fresh produce standards now underway, he also emphasised the importance of industry input, with stakeholders being actively encouraged to share feedback ahead of a formal consultation later this year. An updated version of the standards is expected in 2027.

Bringing the industry together

Red Tractor’s Sam Trevey speaking at Festival of Fresh

Beyond the speaking sessions, Festival of Fresh delivered what it is best known for: bringing people together across the full supply chain, to network and share knowledge. G’s also hosted impressive tours of their baby leaf packhouse and farm, giving delegates a behind-the-scenes insight into the packing, planting and harvesting processes at their Barway site.

The day also recognised standout achievements through the Festival of Fresh Awards, celebrating innovation, sustainability and excellence across the industry.

Improving the Fresh Produce Scheme

12 Jun 2026

Supporting farmer wellbeing: Red Tractor brings sector voices together

On 4 June 2026, Red Tractor brought together experts from across farming, academia, certification and support organisations for a dedicated workshop on farmer wellbeing. The session was chaired by Mark Suthern, former chair of the Farming Community Network (FCN) and one of the commissioners of the Farm Assurance Review, and hosted by John Pain, Vice Chair of Red Tractor.

The workshop created space for a practical and constructive discussion about the relationship between assurance and farmer wellbeing, drawing on evidence, experience and ideas from a wide range of voices.

A clear message from the discussion

A clear message emerged from the day: assurance is rarely the main cause of poor wellbeing, but it can add to stress when farmers are already dealing with financial uncertainty, regulation, labour shortages, weather pressures and the wider challenge of running family businesses. For some, an assessment can become the tipping point that intensifies existing strain.

Listening to evidence, insight and experience

Participants heard research and frontline insight from organisations including FCN, RABI, Exeter University, Newcastle University and Heart of the Southwest Trading Standards. Together, they highlighted the importance of seeing farmers not simply as business operators, but as people and families managing multiple pressures at once. The discussion, which included certification bodies NSF and Intertek SAI and fellow assurance scheme owner QMS, also underlined how the language, tone and overall experience of assessments can significantly shape how assurance is perceived.

Taking these onboard, the group discussed points in the assurance process that can create anxiety, and explored ways to alleviate them.

Working together on next steps

There was strong support for Red Tractor to continue working closely with specialist organisations and certification bodies to ensure farmer wellbeing is properly reflected in how assurance is delivered.

John Pain, Vice Chair of Red Tractor, said: “This workshop was an important opportunity to listen to farmers and those who work closely with them, and to better understand where assurance can add pressure when people are already under strain. What matters now is turning that insight into practical action, so we continue improving the farmer experience while maintaining confidence in the standards that underpin British food and farming. A huge thank you to everyone who took part.”

The workshop forms part of Red Tractor’s wider programme of engagement and improvement, helping to ensure assurance is not only effective, but also better understood, better communicated and more supportive of the people at the heart of British agriculture.

Seeking support if you’re struggling with mental wellbeing

28 May 2026

From farm life to the final: Backing Abbie and the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir has captured the nation’s hearts and now they’re through to the Britain’s Got Talent final.

We’re incredibly proud that Red Tractor’s own Abbie Condon, Operations Manager for Supply Chain Assurance, is part of the choir and will be taking to the stage again this weekend. You can read Abbie’s full story about how she joined the Hawkstone Choir here.

Raising awareness of mental health in agriculture

What began as a unique way to bring people in agriculture together has grown into something much bigger. The choir represents farmers from across the UK and has become a powerful voice for the industry, not only showcasing talent but raising awareness of mental health in agriculture.

Throughout their journey, they’ve helped shine a light on the challenges many in farming face, sparking important conversations and encouraging people to seek support when they need it most.

If you missed their semi-final performance, you can catch up here.

Putting British agriculture on stage

Abbie commented: “Wow, what a crazy ride for a bunch of country folk! Whether we win or not, we feel truly privileged to have put British agriculture on the stage and shine a light on mental health in rural communities. Winning the public vote in the semi-final was such a magical feeling – thank you to everyone who voted. Please could you do it again this Saturday?”

Reaching the final is an incredible achievement, but they need our support to go one step further.

How you can help

Watch: Tune in to the Britain’s Got Talent final on ITV this Saturday 30 May from 7pm.
Vote: Register now at ITV Vote so you’re ready on the night.
Share: Encourage friends, family and colleagues to get involved and vote.

Every vote will help them continue sharing this important message – and could help secure the win. If they do win, the choir will share the £250,000 prize money with farming charities.

Let’s get behind Abbie and the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir and show the strength of the farming community.

Hear from Abbie Condon about how the Britain’s Got Talent journey began

27 May 2026

Red Tractor Board Update – May 2026

The Red Tractor Board met on Friday 22 May. This was an important meeting, marking the arrival of our new Chief Executive, Paul McLaughlin, and the final meeting for our outgoing CEO, Jim Moseley.

The Board discussed farmer perceptions of Red Tractor, progress on the standards review, work to support farmer wellbeing, and ongoing improvements to governance.

Farm Assurance Review

The Board discussed Red Tractor’s continued efforts to deliver the recommendations of the Farm Assurance Review. This programme represents a significant, collective effort by the Red Tractor team, together with members of the Sector Boards and Technical Advisory Committees.

We expect the Review’s final report, published on 26 May, to recognise both the progress made to date and our clear commitment to ongoing improvement.

NFU and AHDB representatives also noted that their joint paper on the Purpose, Scope and Value of Farm Assurance, published on 26 May, provides a helpful and independent perspective on the role of assurance in UK agriculture. Red Tractor has been consulted on this work and welcomes its contribution to the wider debate. The paper concludes that:

“Farm assurance is a shared asset for British agriculture. It underpins confidence, protects markets and supports the reputation of the sector.”

Farmer Sentiment Survey

The Board was joined by Grounded Research, who presented findings and strategic recommendations from Red Tractor’s Farmer Sentiment Survey, based on feedback from almost 2,000 members.

The strong response rate demonstrates high levels of engagement and reinforces the desire among farmers and growers to see Red Tractor deliver clear value. Overall sentiment has improved, with particularly positive feedback on operational delivery, frequency of communications and consistency of assessments.

The research also highlights where further progress is needed, including strengthening how Red Tractor champions farmers, demonstrating understanding of on-farm pressures, increasing transparency in decision-making, and continuing to reduce audit burden.

These insights provide valuable evidence to inform our priorities, many of which align closely with work already underway. Further details from the research will be shared shortly.

Standards Review

The Board received an update from Sector Chairs on progress reviewing farm standards across all sectors. Over the past three months, more than 50 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings have taken place, reviewing standards line by line. This is a huge amount of work for which we are extremely grateful to TAC members, many of whom give their time voluntarily.

Emerging proposals aim to consolidate audit requirements, reducing the number of audit points while maintaining robust, future-fit standards. This work is central to ensuring that standards remain credible and effective, while becoming clearer and more proportionate for farmers to deliver in practice.

Farmer wellbeing

Vice Chair John Pain provided an update on a cross-industry workshop convened by Red Tractor to explore the impact of farm assurance on farmers’ mental health, with the aim of identifying practical ways to reduce unnecessary stress.

The workshop, taking place in early June, will bring together representatives from farming charities, research organisations, farmers and assurance schemes. Insights from this session will help inform future improvements to how assurance is delivered.

Governance

The Board reviewed feedback from its annual appraisal process, introduced last year as part of our commitment to effective governance. Feedback has been positive overall.

We also discussed opportunities to further strengthen Board effectiveness, including bringing more external perspectives into discussions and improving connectivity across the supply chain.

Leadership transition

Finally, on behalf of the entire Board, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jim Moseley as he prepares to retire.

During his time as Chief Executive, Jim has built a high-performing team with a strong culture, strengthened the organisation’s financial position, and successfully led Red Tractor through a number of significant challenges.

Jim has made a lasting contribution to the organisation and to the wider industry. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

Kind regards,

Alistair Macintosh, Red Tractor Chair

Red Tractor Board members:

Alistair Macintosh – Chair
John Pain – Vice Chair
Paul Tompkins – Industry Director, Farmers Union
Will Jackson – Industry Director, AHDB (covered for by Ken Boyns, and accompanied by Helen Herniman)
Dean Holroyd – Industry Director, BMPA
Natalie Smith – Industry Director, BRC
Chris Goodwin – Independent Director, Finance
James Russell – Independent Director, Vet
John Dracup – Beef & Lamb Sector Chair
Julian Sturdy – Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet Sector Chair
Tim Lock – Dairy Sector Chair
Veryan Bliss – Fresh Produce Sector Chair
Stewart Houston CBE, FRAgs – Pigs Sector Chair
Nick Major – Poultry Sector Chair
Paul McLaughlin – incoming Chief Executive
Jim Moseley – outgoing Chief Executive

Red Tractor progress acknowledged in latest Farm Assurance Review report

26 May 2026

Red Tractor progress acknowledged in commissioner’s report on the Farm Assurance Review

Red Tractor has welcomed the commissioner’s latest Farm Assurance Review (FAR) report, which describes progress within Red Tractor’s action plan as ‘welcome’ and recognises the organisation’s ongoing commitment to change.

Over the past 14 months, Red Tractor has introduced changes and improved technology to reduce audit burden, begun a comprehensive reset of standards across all sectors and overhauled how it communicates with farmers.

This work has taken place alongside running the largest consumer marketing and PR campaign in the organisation’s 25-year history championing the role of British food and farming.

A long-term commitment to more transparency

Alistair Mackintosh, Chair of Red Tractor says: “Our response to the FAR is part of a long-term commitment to ensuring Red Tractor embeds a more transparent approach, particularly for farmers who must feel represented, listened to and informed.

“We want to restore a sense of pride in British farming standards,” he adds.

“Our aim is to deliver a cost-effective scheme that is trusted and valued by farmers, growers, the supply chain, buyers and consumers.”

Improvements so far

Some of the improvements made to date include a new website with more information for farmers, improved opportunities for farmers to share feedback, the introduction of greater collaboration with other assurance schemes to reduce the need for multiple audits, and new sector-specific modules for pigs and fresh produce.

The organisation has also invested in its Member Portal, improving functionality, alongside integration with third-party farm management software to streamline audit preparation. Alongside this, Red Tractor has strengthened engagement with Certification Bodies to help improve assessor training, consistency and the overall experience of on-farm audits for farmers.

Importantly, Red Tractor has reviewed and renewed core policies, which ensure fair, effective representation of farmers within decision-making via representatives on its Board, Sector Boards and Technical Advisory Committees. These representatives are now undertaking a full, line by line review of farm standards and audit points, with considerable progress made in the last two months.

Progress has been acknowledged in recent survey data. Of the 2,000 farmer members who responded to Red Tractor’s post assessment survey in 2025, 64% rated the transparency of the organisation as ‘good or excellent’, with a further 22% rating it as ‘fair’. When it comes to audit efficiency, 63% rated Red Tractor as ‘good or excellent’ and a further 25% rated it as ‘fair’.

Sophie Throup, NFU Director General, says: “I welcome the continued commitment from Red Tractor to listen to farmers and make meaningful change.

“The Farm Assurance Review gave a clear steer that assurance needed to result in assurance schemes that worked for both the producer and the consumer, as well as being simple to administer and deliver at farm level.

“It’s important that farmers have a strong voice in assurance with a clear and transparent decision-making process which benefits all. I welcome the progress and positive changes made to date.”

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, Red Tractor will consult with farmers, growers and stakeholders on proposed new standards in autumn 2026 and remains committed to delivering the recommendations of the FAR beyond this final report, explains Mr Mackintosh.

“There is more to do,” he says. “We are ambitious about working more closely with Government to make sure farmer’s concerns are heard.

“We will also continue to listen and work collaboratively with farmers, the wider supply chain, particularly with AHDB to support better understanding of crop import standards.”

“Last year, we attended more than 50 events and spoke to over 1,000 members. This year we hope to do the same,” Mr Mackintosh adds.

Over the summer, the organisation will continue to expand its face-to-face engagement with farmers, attending key agricultural events and introducing Red Tractor’s new CEO, Paul McLaughlin, to members. Mr McLaughlin has already met with industry stakeholders at the Balmoral Show and the Pig & Poultry Fair, and will be attending farmer-facing meetings over the summer including at Beef Expo, Cereals, The Sheep Event and at the Royal Highland Show.

Mr McLaughlin commented: “These events are an invaluable opportunity for me and the wider team to listen and gather feedback. I hope to see many scheme members come along and take the chance to meet with us and continue to engage with this progress.”

Emily Norton, AHDB Chair says: “The Farm Assurance Review is helping underpin the critical role farm assurance plays in our industry. In relation to Red Tractor, we are working closely with the other owners to support the ongoing changes within the scheme. We look forward to continuing the conversations with industry partners on the future of assurance and commit to working collaboratively with the industry to support the Review on behalf of our levy payers.”

A summary of all improvements made to date is available on the Red Tractor website.

Red Tractor’s response to the Farm Assurance Review

21 May 2026

Singing for something bigger: From farm life to Britain’s Got Talent

Last weekend, the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir took to the Britain’s Got Talent semi-final stage and won, progressing to the final this weekend. We couldn’t be prouder that Red Tractor’s Operations Manager for Supply Chain Assurance, Abbie Condon, is among them. We’re cheering for her all the way!

Ahead of the final, we sat down with Abbie to find out how the journey began.

Where did your journey with the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir begin?

Back in April 2025, I came across a social media advert asking for people that work in agriculture and could sing or at least hold a tune! They were looking to record some adverts for beer but at that point we didn’t know it was for Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand. I was going through a bit of a rough patch for various reasons and thought “what the heck, I’ll apply” so I sent off my audition tape and found myself as one of the lucky 39 to be chosen. We were invited to Jeremy’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, to do some filming and we all hit it off instantly. I was totally out of my comfort zone singing in front of people, but it was the perfect distraction and has continued to bring me joy!

How have you found yourselves on Britain’s Got Talent?

We recorded the initial set of rather sweary(!) beer adverts and then did some Christmas adverts which all went down rather well. The next thing we know, our musical director, Simon Gwilliam, and choir director, Lizzie Deane are in talks with Britain’s Got Talent! The choir age ranges from 27 to 74 and we’re from across the UK – from down in Dorset, to my county of Oxfordshire where Jeremy farms, to Wales and all the way up to Northumberland, so we don’t get together to rehearse very often. But when we do, it’s like you’ve taken a bunch of grown-ups on a school trip!

The audition day was back in October. It was a very long day with lots of waiting around but the audience’s incredible reaction to our rendition of Elbow’s One Day Like This, and then Amanda Holden’s golden buzzer was a truly unbelievable moment that I will remember for life.

We had to keep it all a secret until the audition was aired six months later in March of this year, but we then got to experience the nations reaction as well which has just blown us all away! We really seem to have resonated with so many people, especially our fellow farming folk. It’s been really humbling to know the effect we’ve had on people.

What impact do you hope the choir can have beyond the stage?

It became clear pretty quickly that it wasn’t just British agriculture we’re all passionate about, but mental health in agriculture as well. Sadly, we had all known someone in the industry who had struggled with poor mental health or had struggled with things ourselves and could see how uplifting performing in the choir was. We wanted to spread that word and try and make a difference!

Every week three people in agriculture take their life. That is three people too many. I’ve worked in agriculture for over 10 years and have spoken to many a strong, burley farmer who has been struggling on without getting help. Farming can be an isolating and high-pressure industry, where long hours, financial uncertainty and stigma around speaking up mean mental health often goes unseen and unsupported.

Admitting you are struggling and asking for help with your mental health is seen as a taboo subject and it shouldn’t be, there are specific charities out there that understand what farmers go through and are there to help.

We want to shine a light on mental health in agriculture and make it an acceptable thing to talk about. If we are lucky enough to win BGT then we will be making donations to a very worthy selection of mental health charities who are there for our Great British Farmers.

How can viewers get behind you in the final?

We need your votes!

We are so excited to be performing in the final of BGT. Lizzie, our choir director, and Simon, our musical director has put together another brilliant song for you all and hopefully we will touch as many hearts with this song as we did with our first song.

To vote, you need to register your mobile number on ITV Vote ahead of time, so you’re ready to vote after all the acts have performed.

Please remember to tune in on Saturday night, as we’ll need your votes so we can bag that all important prize money and really make a difference to mental health in agriculture.

What’s next for the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir?

Abbie Condon with Britain’s Got Talent presenter, Dec

The world is our oyster! We want to continue banging the drum for British agriculture and raising awareness for mental health. We have a few irons in the fire, so follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to hear what exciting projects we have coming up.

Find out more about voting on the Britain’s Got Talent website

20 May 2026

Collaboration, confidence and standards: Red Tractor at Pig & Poultry Fair 2026

Red Tactor had a good couple of days at this year’s Pig & Poultry Fair, catching up with farmers, partners and stakeholders from across the pig and poultry industries at the NEC in Birmingham. It was a valuable opportunity which reinforced the importance of collaboration at every stage of the supply chain.

Conversations reflecting the realities of modern farming

Red Tractor’s new CEO, Paul McLaughlin, spent time meeting with producers and industry representatives, hearing first-hand about the priorities and challenges facing farmers today. These conversations continue to play a crucial role in shaping how Red Tractor supports these sectors, ensuring that standards and assurance remain grounded in the realities of modern farming and will help shape this year’s work to improve the standards.

A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring Red Tractor’s Director of Communications & Engagement, Jo Miller. The session, “The Communications Battle – How should the poultry sector respond to activism?”, explored the increasing scrutiny faced by the industry exploring how it can respond effectively.

A unified and credible voice

A clear message emerged: trust, transparency and consistency are critical. With growing activism, scrutiny and advances in covert surveillance technology, the sector must work together to ensure a unified and credible voice. An evidence-based, consistent and fair approach is essential to upholding standards and protecting farmers’ reputations and maintaining consumer confidence.

Alongside this, Red Tractor Sector Board Chairs Nick Major and Stewart Houston presented the upcoming standards review for the pig and poultry sectors. Feedback from across the event highlighted a clear priority: standards must remain robust while also being proportionate and reflective of modern farming practices. Getting this balance right is key to supporting producers while continuing to deliver consumer confidence.

Bridging the gap between farmers and consumers

Across all conversations, the importance of education and communication came through strongly. There is a shared recognition that the sector must do more to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, explaining how food is produced, demonstrating the high standards in place, and confidently telling the story of British farming.

At Red Tractor, our role remains clear. Through robust assurance, independent assessment and close collaboration with farmers, we are committed to upholding credible standards, addressing challenges, driving continuous improvement and protecting the reputation of British agriculture.

Building and maintaining trust requires transparency, accountability and action. Events like the Pig & Poultry Fair provide an important platform to listen, engage and ensure British farming is understood, valued and championed.

Improving farm assessments and standards

15 May 2026

Red Tractor meets farmers at Lutterworth Dairy Discussion Group

Members of the Red Tractor team recently attended the Lutterworth Dairy Discussion Group. This offered another important opportunity for Red Tractor to spend time with and hear from farmers about the issues affecting them.

An open forum for honest conversations

Face-to-face meetings are a valuable open forum for honest conversations about the issues that matter most to farmers and the wider agricultural industry. A range of topics were discussed throughout the evening, such as standards and scheme delivery, broader industry challenges, as well as opportunities in the sector.

Building on the work of the Farm Assurance Review, we’re getting out and talking to farmers to explain how Red Tractor works, including how decisions are made, how they contribute to the review of standards and to hear their feedback.

The team also highlighted Red Tractor’s latest advertising campaign, which celebrated 25 years since the creation of the Red Tractor logo. A new animated advert was created, ‘With You For 25 Years’, that follows a single family’s changing lives over 25 years and showcasing how Red Tractor assured food has been a staple throughout family mealtimes and special occasions. The advert featured on prime-time television and video on demand.

Shaping the future direction of the scheme

For Red Tractor, being out and about at meetings like this is an important way of listening to members’ experiences, concerns, frustrations, and ideas that help ensure farmers’ voices are shaping the future direction of the scheme.

A standout moment of the evening came during the vote of thanks, when one member commented: “You have convinced me that Red Tractor are listening to and engaging with members.” Feedback like this means a lot and reinforces why these discussions are important to Red Tractor.

Real life examples to reduce audit burden

Kate Cross, Senior Assurance & Services Manager at Red Tractor, said: “The passion producers have to ensure, we, Red Tractor, know their strength of feeling about standards is a great springboard for open discussion. The group both listened and challenged us on the information we shared along with providing us with real life examples of where we can look to reduce audit burden.”

Red Tractor would like to thank everyone who attended, contributed to the conversation, and shared their views so openly. We look forward to continuing these discussions with more members across the country at events in the months ahead.

If you’re hosting a farming event and would like someone from the team to come along to share more about what we’re doing, please email memberhelp@redtractor.co.uk

Improving the Dairy Scheme

27 Apr 2026

TAC Chairs share updates on the standards review process

Red Tractor is currently reviewing its farm-facing standards and assessment processes. The review aims to utilise new technologies, data and stakeholder feedback to streamline assessments, support the reduction of audit burden, and maintain customer confidence, while ensuring standards remain relevant to the farming sectors they serve.

As part of the process, each Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been meeting regularly to review Red Tractor’s farm-facing standards line-by-line.

Fresh Produce

Barbara Bray, Chair of the Fresh Produce TAC says, “The TAC has been meeting regularly to review the existing standards and is now moving towards completing its review of the core requirements. We’re taking a line by line approach and remain committed to reducing duplication and developing smarter, outcome focused standards reflecting current legislation, new evidence and real-world compliance data.”

A leafy salads bolt-on has been drafted with the aim of addressing industry concerns around STEC contamination. It’s due to be launched later in 2026 before potentially being integrated into the core standards, forming part of the standards review.

The review covers 179 standards and 480 audit points, which are assessed through workshops, shared documentation, and engagement with stakeholders to ensure consistency with other schemes. The next step is for the TAC to share draft sections of the updated standards with the Sector Board for feedback when they are completed.

Poultry

The Poultry TAC has begun to review the existing standards, based on priorities agreed at the end of 2025. Judith Irons, Chair of the Poultry TAC says: “This is to ensure that Red Tractor continues to verify the high welfare, food safety and traceability practices that define British-grown poultry, strengthening the scheme’s role as a trusted mark and add value across the supply chain.” The review will also aim to include the smarter use of data to highlight sector strengths. This will help to further differentiate and promote British poultry production.

This will be a multi-stage process, starting with a check of standards against a broad range of requirements. A detailed redrafting stage will then follow. Changes to the standards will be evidence-based and proportionate, maintaining alignment with other sectors so that consumers continue to recognise Red Tractor as a single, trusted mark.

Dairy

Since October 2025, the Dairy TAC has met every few weeks, and as of mid-April, has finished reviewing half of its 16 modules, with a ninth nearing completion. The TAC has given the Board a schedule of its review plan, and is taking a thorough, line by line approach with every standard. Amy Jackson, Chair of the Dairy TAC says: “The focus is on reducing duplication to develop smarter, outcome focused standards that reflect current and pending legislation, new evidence and real-world compliance data – although it is recognised that streamlining data collection will be just as important in reducing audit burden.”

To ensure transparency and collaboration, the TAC is sharing draft sections of the revised standards with the Dairy Sector Board for review as they become available. At its last meeting, the Board welcomed the constructive way all parts of the supply chain were contributing to the process.

Crops

The Crops TAC has worked together to look at removing or simplifying requirements where possible to reduce audit burden, whilst maintaining food safety and market access. This first stage has now concluded and work will continue establishing a way forward that considers the requirements of all stakeholders.

Alan King, Chair of the Crops TAC says: “In what are challenging times for our industry we are grateful for the support of our TAC members from all across the crops supply chain for their contributions to this extensive and detailed review process.”

Beef & Lamb

The Beef & Lamb TAC are making excellent progress reviewing all standards and audit points, reviewing on a word-by-word, line-by-line basis to make sure that they are all applicable, appropriate, robust and evidence-based. The aim is to reorder the standards for clarity and better assessment flow; and to allow the assessors to focus on the livestock, with clear consistency between assessors.

Feedback on the priorities for this review were limited by align with Red Tractor’s existing priorities of reducing bureaucracy, smarter audits, clarity of standards, improving import parity, and strengthening earned recognition. Jude Capper, TAC Chair said: “The TAC are working incredibly hard on making sure that beef & lamb standards fulfil the expectations of all stakeholders and provide real value in demonstrating the high safety, welfare and traceability practiced on British farms. We are excited to see and act upon the feedback from future consultations.”

Pigs

The Pigs TAC has now begun reviewing the standards, so far looking at Documents & Procedures, Personnel and Vermin Control. At the end of 2025, two new modules were introduced to the Red Tractor Pigs Scheme – Enhanced Welfare Outdoor Bred and Free Range – accompanied by distinctive on-pack logos to clearly communicate higher animal welfare inputs to shoppers.

Stewart Houston, Chair of The Pig Sector Board says: “Developed by the industry and subject to extensive consultation, the new modules are underpinned by standards that provide outdoor producers, who participate in multiple schemes, with a way of reducing their on-farm audits while maintaining access to existing markets.

“They were benchmarked against existing market standards to ensure they reflect meaningful, recognised welfare standards while fitting within the practical realities of commercial pig production.”

As with the last major standards review, your responses will be key to how we take the new Version 6 forward. It will be an honest consultation, with all views taken into account, with post review comms listing the key points from the review.

Find out more about the Standards review

24 Apr 2026

Red Tractor: Why it’s far more than just a logo for British beef

For many shoppers, the Red Tractor is a quick signpost on a packet of beef, a familiar logo that reassures them the product is British and responsibly produced. For those working across the beef supply chain, the small red tractor symbolises a system of robust, independently verified standards designed to protect the integrity of British beef.

A response to BSE: Rebuilding broken trust

Red Tractor was launched in 2000 in the immediate aftermath of the BSE (“Mad Cow Disease”) crisis and the later Foot and Mouth outbreak, two events that shook public confidence in British beef to its core.

The aim was to rebuild trust through transparency, consistency and independently checked standards, giving consumers confidence in the safety, welfare and provenance of British produce at a time when trust had been severely damaged.

Why Red Tractor is more than a logo

Red Tractor’s credibility comes from the standards that sit behind it, and those standards are extensive. They underpin the entire supply chain and are built on science, evidence, best practice and legislation.

They cover food safety, animal welfare, traceability, and environmental protection. These are not suggestions or aspirations; they are mandatory, audited requirements that farmers and processors must meet every day. Additionally, use of the Red Tractor logo is tightly controlled ensuring that it only appears on assured British produce.

Independent assessment: The backbone of credibility

Independent assessments are what give Red Tractor its authority. The scheme works with more than 350 independent assessors who, alongside undertaking assessments for other schemes, carry out assessments for 17,800 assured beef and lamb farmers in England. These assessments cover both the physical and process elements of the business, checking compliance with standards that span, among other things, feed and water provision, animal health and welfare, health planning, veterinary medicine use and record keeping, housing, movement records, environmental protection, disease prevention, and full traceability.

The impact of those standards is measurable. Research shows that Red Tractor requirements have helped drive down the use of HP-CIAs, supporting responsible antibiotic use while maintaining high welfare and productivity.

Why the standards matter – Especially for beef

Beef farmers understand better than anyone how quickly trust can be lost. BSE proved that reputation can be destroyed overnight.

Without robust assurance, consumer confidence collapses. Exports and market access evaporate. Retailers lose confidence with a consistent, verified supply and the British beef industry loses its competitive advantage.

Red Tractor provides the structure that protects against that risk, safeguarding individual businesses, the wider sector and the reputation of British beef.

Celebrating the quality of British beef

Great British Beef Week is a chance to celebrate the quality of British beef, but it’s also an important moment to remind consumers why assurance matters.

Choosing British beef is essential. Choosing Red Tractor assured British beef goes further.

Looking for the Red Tractor logo means supporting independently verified standards on food safety, animal welfare, traceability and environmental care. It means backing professional British farmers who meet these standards every day, not just during promotional weeks. It means helping to protect the long-term reputation of British beef at home and abroad.

Safeguarding the reputation of British beef

Red Tractor has never been “just a logo”. It is the hard-earned outcome of a system built in response to crisis, created to protect consumers and safeguard the reputation of British beef after one of the most damaging food crises in our history. Its strength lies not in its design, but in the standards, assessments, and daily commitment it represents.

If we want Red Tractor to continue inspiring confidence among shoppers, retailers, and global markets, we must keep telling the story of what sits behind that little red tractor. Because the real value isn’t printed on the pack, it’s lived on the farm, proven in the audits, and earned through trust.

This Great British Beef Week, celebrate British beef and look for the Red Tractor.

Find out more about Beef and Lamb Standards

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