Farmers to benefit from assurance scheme improvements

The NFU has set out how it intends to drive forward “much needed change and better delivery” for farm assurance schemes.

In response to the independent review of farm assurance published in January, the NFU – which is a joint owner of Red Tractor – says it is required to be directly involved in 13 of the review’s 56 recommendations.

See also: Minette Batters to lead Defra farm profitability review

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “It’s clear that change is needed to ensure farm assurance schemes are fit for a modern farming environment.

“The review’s recommendations reflect the key concerns of our members, and the NFU is committed to playing its role in delivering these so that farmers and growers, the wider food supply chain, and our customers all see the benefit. 

“Work is already under way on multiple aspects of the recommendations, but there is a lot of work to do and change will not happen overnight.”

In particular, the NFU will work closely with AHDB to ensure that data collection and ownership will benefit farmers directly and that they are directly involved in the development of future environmental standards, which must have a clear purpose and value.

It will also ensure that the NFU’s national crops board will support the work with a particular focus on delivering transparency around imported grains, and is calling for substantive change to current assurance.

A formal assessment of changes to Red Tractor will be rolled out, starting with an interim review to be published in autumn, and a full review in spring 2026.