NFU call to pause Red Tractor ‘green’ module ignored

Work on Red Tractor’s planned Greener Farm Commitment is going full steam ahead, despite an urgent call from the NFU to pause implementation of the new bolt-on to its existing standards.

The union’s council members agreed a motion calling for the pause and a wider review of the assurance body’s governance at a “passionate” meeting in Stoneleigh this week, which Farmers Weekly understands was led by president Minette Batters, instead of a member of staff as is usual.

See also: NFU Council motion calls for review of Red Tractor governance

Delegates spent hours venting their frustration over Red Tractor’s sudden announcement of its plans to launch the “voluntary” environment module from 1 April 2024.

But one union source said an official NFU statement released after the meeting suggested a “softening” in the leadership’s approach.

The statement, in NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw’s name, said Red Tractor had been a “positive thing for our members”.

“We all accept that the roll-out of the GFC hasn’t been as any of us would have wished, but the issue is about procedures, not principles,” it added.

“We can and should work together to address those issues, get past this and move on for the benefit of farmers, growers, the wider supply chain and, crucially, consumers.”

The statement did not mention the motion’s call for a pause in implementation of the GFC or a review of the assurance body’s governance.

More robust

But other industry bodies were far more robust in their public statements. The National Sheep Association (NSA) has called for a “root and branch review” of the assurance scheme, following an extraordinary meeting of its English committee.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Anyone who has had any contact with NSA will recognise that we are pro-environment, but the recent announcement of the Greener Farm Commitment, developed with no practical input from ourselves or the farming sector, is flawed and simply a step too far.

“We do not accept this will remain a voluntary scheme, and additionality like this comes with a cost that needs to be supported via market premiums or by full alignment with Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship schemes.”

Continued development

But Red Tractor told Farmers Weekly that, while it was now keen to involve farmers, it is set to continue development of its environment module, with its new Development Advisory Panel due to meet for the first time next month .

A spokesman said “We agree about how important this is, and that there are benefits for farmers, growers, and the wider supply chain, of a common industry approach.

“Work to this point included trials with 25 farms last year, for example.

“As the main Red Tractor board agreed last month, our existing technical advisory committees and sector boards are meeting over the coming weeks to provide their feedback on technical and practical considerations.

“But we recognise there is always more we can do to listen to farmers’ feedback and understand their point of view.”

‘Mission creep’

Oxfordshire farmer Tom Allen-Stevens has followed developments at Red Tractor since its introduction in June 2000.

He said: “Red Tractor is there to assure farmers to the base legislation – that’s all. The GFC is mission creep.

“Retailers have no right to bring in environmental audits that go beyond what’s required by law. If they do, they must pay a premium – that’s an absolute red line.”