Red Tractor Farm Assurance Changes: Six Months On

April marks six months since the Red Tractor farm assurance standards were updated, and we are still coming into contact with farmers who are unaware of the changes.

At the start of 2021, Red Tractor undertook an industry-wide consultation and received over 3,000 pieces of feedback, mainly around the need to enhance human safety and animal health and welfare.

One of the main changes introduced was the requirement for all farms with workers to have a written health and safety policy. Red Tractor inspectors will want to see this policy during their visits and will be looking for any shortcomings.

Red Tractor also made considerable alterations to animal welfare standards.

• Dairy, beef and lamb farms must have a health plan, and it must be reviewed annually by a vet.
• From October 2022, Red Tractor members in the beef sector must have a full health plan detailing how they are working to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea.
• Tethered housing systems will not be permitted on beef and dairy Red Tractor farms.
• Beef and sheep farms must have at least one person trained to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote best practice.
• For dairy farmers, new standards have been introduced to stop the routine killing of male calves by 2023.
• Pig farmers have to minimise tail biting and avoid tail docking while also be trained in pig euthanasia.

Red Tractor standards were introduced in 2000, and in the last 22 years, there have been five major updates as the scheme keeps up with customer expectations. The changes outlined above are just a few of the new regulations, that Red Tractor farmers must comply with if they are to receive the best prices. Without compliance, they cannot sell their produce.

If you are unsure about the new requirements, please don’t hesitate to call Ray Philips on 01522 696, email ray@walters-rural.com or fill in our contact form.