Red Tractor plans market visits to explain rule changes

Red Tractor is running drop-in clinics at markets across the country to help prepare farmers for when its revised farm standards take effect from 1 November.

The sessions will explain the changes and give farmers the chance to ask any questions about the new standards, which were announced earlier this year.

See also: New Red Tractor standards aim to improve farmyards

Eleven dates and locations have been confirmed so far, and Red Tractor says more will be added soon.

Philippa Wiltshire, head of Red Tractor’s technical team, said the easing of coronavirus restrictions meant it was now possible to meet more farmers in person to help prepare them for the November changes, but there were lots of ways to get help.

“Having an informal chat at market is just one of the ways members can get support and guidance from our team,” she said.

“They can also get help by visiting our assurance website, calling or emailing us with their queries, or by dropping us a message on social media.”

The overhaul of Red Tractor’s standards follows an industry-wide consultation in the first few months of the year, which attracted more than 3,000 individual pieces of feedback for the organisation’s technical committees and sector boards to consider.