Red Tractor changes its farm standards
© Tim Scrivener Farmers and growers who are part of the Red Tractor Assurance scheme will receive a new set of farm standards this month.
The changes are part of a review carried out by the Red Tractor every three years to ensure the certification is up to date with what consumers want and expect.
Farmers who are part of the scheme will have to implement the changes from October.
See also: Analysis: How UK growers can face Brexit challenges
Industry and regulatory affairs manager Philippa Wiltshire said: “We have strengthened standards which have been identified as key areas of reputational risk and addressed industry concerns to keep our members ahead of the game.
“We recognise our new standards will require changes in farm management for some, but we also know that continuing to invest in a robust farm assurance scheme will keep consumers coming back to Red Tractor assured products.”
What will change?
We recognise our new standards will require changes in farm management for some, but we also know that continuing to invest in a robust farm assurance scheme will keep consumers coming back to Red Tractor assured products Philippa Wiltshire, Red Tractor
Standards on antibiotics use have been strengthened to encourage producers to reduce and record use in line with best practice advice from the alliance for Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture.
Notably, assured pig producers are now recording antibiotics use in the electronic Medicine Book developed by AHDB Pigs, in preparation for the new standards.
Significant changes have been made to the fresh produce scheme to reduce the risk of UK producers falling foul of the same food safety scares which have devastated some European horticultural business.
Packs containing the new standards and details of some of the most significant changes will be arriving on farms over the next few weeks.
Checklists for those who want to carry out a full self-assessment are available online on the Red Tractor’s website.
More detail soon
Farmers Weekly will be looking at the detail of the changes over the next few days.
Please check the Business section of the Farmers Weekly website for updates.