Red Tractor is announcing four practical ways meat and poultry processors can minimise their audit burden and reduce duplication, following close engagement with the sector. 

The measures give businesses the option to make better use of existing certification and include opportunities for joint Red Tractor Meat and Poultry Processing (RTMPP) and BRCGS Food Safety assessments, as well as avoiding duplicate traceability assessments. 

Joanna King, Head of Partnerships and Supply Chain Assurance at Red Tractor, said: “We’ve worked hard to identify meaningful ways for meat and poultry processors to reduce audit burden. These proposals, whilst not mandatory, are an important step in making assurance work more efficiently while continuing to deliver the robustness and confidence that sits at the heart of Red Tractor.

Meat and poultry processors who want to discuss which option may be appropriate for their business can contact Amy Panton, Technical Manager, Supply Chain Assurance (Meat & Poultry) at Red Tractor:

1. Joint RTMPP and BRCGS assessments

Opportunities to reduce audit burden through joint assessments are available where a business holds BRCGS Food Safety and RTMPP certification with the same certification body. Red Tractor will contact all RTMPP members to advise of the opportunity and where applicable, explain to businesses currently using different certification bodies how they could benefit from this option. 

2. Avoid duplicating traceability assessments

RTMPP members who are also Red Tractor licensees and who receive joint Red Tractor and BRCGS Food Safety assessments can now opt out of the Traceability and Integrity module assessment within the Red Tractor scheme under certain conditions where there’s duplication. 

3. Reduce the frequency of Red Tractor Traceability Challenges

RTMPP certified sites who are also Red Tractor licensees, can reduce the frequency of their Traceability Challenge from annually to once every two years. 

To be eligible, sites must: 

• Be part of a Red Tractor licensed group
• Have a joint unannounced BRCGS and RTMPP assessment and achieve a BRCGS grade between AA*–B*
• Give Red Tractor permission to view their BRCGS report; and
• Have no BRCGS non-conformances relating to traceability. 

4. Review pork scheme certification

Red Tractor has removed the requirement for pork licensees to be certified against certain BMPA Quality Pork Charter modules, and equivalent RTMPP pork quality modules. This move gives Red Tractor pork licensees the choice to reduce their number of assessments whilst continuing to maintain assurance criteria. 

John Powell, CEO of British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), said: “Reducing duplication and audit burden in assurance is something the meat processing sector has been keen to see. We have worked closely with Red Tractor to align assessments and recognise where existing certification already provides the necessary assurance, helping to make the process more efficient for businesses. We very much welcome the practical steps that Red Tractor is taking in this direction and look forward to continuing our work with them on this important issue.” 
 
Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive of British Poultry Council (BPC), said: “Assurance needs to work for businesses as well as providing confidence across the supply chain. The options provided by Red Tractor recognise the significant requirements poultry meat processors already meet and offer a more practical approach to managing assurance assessments.” 

Red Tractor has launched a new farmer-led short film celebrating the skill, hard work and pride behind British food.

Released on 6 October, Proud to Farm recognises the contribution of more than 40,000 farmers and growers assured by Red Tractor. It follows months of unusually hot, dry weather that has put pressure on food production and impacting all farming sectors.

Proud to stand behind farmers and growers

Paul McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Red Tractor, says: “British farmers and growers are producing food against an incredibly challenging backdrop, and we believe their contribution deserves to be recognised and championed.

“We want to make the skill and care that goes into producing British food more visible to consumers and show farmers and growers that we are proud to stand behind them.”

Featuring real farmers and growers working to Red Tractor standards, Proud to Farm reflects both the difficult and rewarding days of producing food, and the moments that make the hard work worthwhile.

The short film also highlights the many roles farmers fulfil, with farmers featured describing themselves as food producers, business owners, mechanics, crop specialists, livestock experts and custodians of the countryside.

Recognising the responsibility in maintaining high standards

Its central message is that there is no such thing as ‘just a farmer’, recognising the responsibility involved in maintaining high standards and producing food for the nation.

Red Tractor assurance covers around three-quarters of UK agricultural production, with the logo appearing on more than £18bn worth of food and drink.

Earlier this year, Red Tractor’s 2026 Farmer Sentiment Survey found the majority of farmers believe assurance schemes play an important role in building consumer confidence, with many calling for Red Tractor to do more to champion assured British food and strengthen understanding of the standards behind it.

In August, Red Tractor worked with young farmers in British high streets to explore consumers’ understanding of farming, food production and product labelling.

Strengthening understanding and trust in British food

Mr McLaughlin says: “We know there is still a gap in understanding around how food is produced, but there is also a real sense of pride in British food and the farmers behind it.

“If this film helps more people understand the skill and commitment behind British farming, and builds confidence in the food our farmers produce, then it has done what we set out to achieve.”

NFU Deputy President, Paul Tompkins says: “British farmers and growers work incredibly hard to produce high-quality food while running businesses, caring for livestock and managing the countryside.

“We are extremely proud of the skill, commitment and dedication shown by everyone working across our sector, which is being recognised and celebrated in this film, with our farmers and growers at the heart of telling the story of British farming.

The full Proud to Farm film can be watched at: https://redtractor.org.uk/proud-to-farm/

Love British Food has welcomed Red Tractor as its Lead Assurance Partner for 2026, bringing the two organisations together to champion British food and strengthen demand for assured British produce within the foodservice, retail and public sector.

A strong case for sourcing British food

The announcement comes as Love British Food marks its 25th anniversary and responds to a clear message from farmers of the important role Red Tractor plays in helping to champion the value of British food and farming.

By connecting the influence of both organisations, the partnership aims to make a stronger case for sourcing British food across the supply chain.

For consumers, this collaboration seeks to improve understanding of the rigorous standards and provenance behind assured British food. For buyers, caterers and retailers, it aims to support informed sourcing decisions.

Amplify support for British food and farming

Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, said: “British farm businesses need wider industry ambition to translate into meaningful commercial action.

“This partnership brings together the reach of both organisations across food production, foodservice, retail and consumers to amplify support for British food and farming. Linking Love British Food and Red Tractor has to make sense for British food and farming.

“We are stronger working together. Aligning our activities will make the case for British sourcing more effectively and encourage that commitment to be reflected in menu and purchasing decisions and tender specifications. Working with Red Tractor gives us the opportunity to connect the promotion of British food with the independently assured standards that underpin it, helping buyers source with confidence.”

Growing consumer understanding

Paul McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Red Tractor, said “British farmers, growers and processors work hard every day to produce food to high standards, and they deserve to see that recognised throughout the supply chain.

“With every major retailer and many food service companies in the UK already specifying Red Tractor assurance in their sourcing policies, and the logo recognised by three quarters of UK consumers, we want to do more to grow consumer understanding of the logo while creating new opportunities for assured businesses throughout the supply chain.

“This partnership is a great opportunity to amplify support for British food and farming.”

This partnership will also strengthen activity in the build-up to British Food Fortnight, which runs from 26 September – 11 October 2026, with both organisations using their combined networks to encourage more farmers, growers, producers and caterers to take part and showcase the breadth and value of British food.

Paul McLaughlin has a distinguished career spanning food, farming and assurance. He started out in food manufacturing, working with Mars and The Coca-Cola Company before becoming the inaugural Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink where he brought together producers, processors and retailers. As Managing Director of fresh produce business, Scotty Brand, he oversaw the supply of a wide range of products including potatoes, carrots, fruit and meat to the UK’s major grocery retailers. He has also held leadership roles at the Building Engineering Services Association and most recently at the Rail Safety & Standards Board where he led the transformation of a major assurance scheme.

A scheme that works hard for farmers and growers

Talking about his appointment, Paul McLaughlin said: “British farming is the backbone of our food system, and the farmers and growers who meet the Red Tractor standard deserve a scheme that works as hard for them as they work for us. I want Red Tractor to be something that farmers can be genuinely proud of and that retailers and consumers trust completely. I’ll be doing a lot of listening first, and then getting to work.”

Alistair Macintosh, Chair of Red Tractor said: “Paul brings a unique blend of experience working within food, assurance and multistakeholder organisations. He really impressed the interview panel with his considered and strategic approach to leadership and demonstrated the dynamism needed to drive continued improvement at Red Tractor. I very much look forward to welcoming him to the Red Tractor team.”

Joining Red Tractor at a pivotal time

Paul’s appointment follows a comprehensive, open recruitment process and was ratified by Red Tractor’s Board of Directors on 13 March 2026. He joins Red Tractor at a pivotal time for the organisation as it continues to review its standards and deliver its vision to be the pride of British food and farming.  

Paul will take up the role on 5 May, enabling him to work alongside Red Tractor’s outgoing CEO, Jim Moseley, before Jim retires at the end of May.

Paul will join Red Tractor’s Board of Directors, working alongside industry, sector and independent directors representing the full breadth of UK food and farming.

Following the recent NFU elections, Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President has also joined the Board to represent the farming unions. He replaces outgoing director, David Exwood.

Read Paul McLaughlin’s answers to questions about what bought him to the role at Red Tractor