On the Road
Red Tractor at the WTO, Lord Mayor's Show and farming events near you
Red Tractor’s Head of Operations, Philippa Wiltshire, addressed the World Trade Organisation in Geneva last month, spotlighting the success of Red Tractor’s earned recognition agreement with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
She explained how the initiative has supported improvements in food safety across the UK while easing the burden on farmers by reducing the duplication of audits.
Delegates from around the world lauded Red Tractor as a benchmark for agricultural and food safety standards, with many praising its work with the FSA as an innovative approach to regulatory cooperation.
They praised Red Tractor in its role as a model for fostering collaboration between regulators and industry, inspiring other nations to consider adopting similar frameworks.
The vital role British farmers play in producing food for the nation was celebrated on the streets of London during this year's Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday 9 November.
Red Tractor was proud to join the NFU, the Worshipful Company of Farmers, Massey Ferguson and Surrey Docks City Farm to bring farming to the forefront of the show and champion the best of British food. We wanted to express our gratitude to the public for their continued support, especially during a time when the industry faces unprecedented challenges.
The enthusiastic response from this year's crowd reflected the strong public appreciation for farmers' contributions, both in providing food and in stewarding the countryside.
At Red Tractor, we are proud to partner with farmers who produce food that is safe, traceable, and responsibly farmed. Participating in the Lord Mayor's Show is a wonderful opportunity to honour the hard work and dedication of farmers in providing high-quality food for the nation. As a farmer's daughter, it was fantastic to be able to share our story in the heart of the city celebrating the best of British farming.
By engaging with members, through conferences, direct communications, and regular meetings, Red Tractor is listening. This active and ongoing engagement is critical so that we can address challenges collaboratively to ensure the certification process benefits everyone involved and aligns with the realities of fieldwork across all sectors.
The biennial British Peas & Beans Conference, returned to Boston in November 2024. During the conference, Sam Trevey, Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Manager delivered a key presentation focusing on assessments for Red Tractor vining pea growers.
Recognising the importance of relevance and practicality in certification processes, Sam addressed an audience keen for dialogue about how assessments impact their operations. Sam highlighted that feedback from growers directly informs the development of Red Tractor’s assessment processes, helping to avoid unnecessary burdens on members while still maintaining high standards.
Simon Thorpe, Senior Technical Manager participated in a panel discussion at the recent Onion & Carrot Conference, where he shared insights on what the future of assurance might look like.
During the session, he emphasised the importance of assurance schemes in enhancing product quality, building consumer trust, and meeting regulatory standards while addressing the key challenges farmers face in implementing these frameworks, such as cost, complexity, and scalability.
Tim Lock, Red Tractor Dairy Sector Chair, and Jemma Holden, Red Tractor Technical Manager, recently held discussions with the NFU Scotland Milk Committee to explore key issues shaping the future of dairy assurance.
The meeting focused on Red Tractor’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards for British dairy farming while addressing the evolving challenges faced by the sector.
The dialogue touched on the growing expectations of consumers and retailers, the role of technology in auditing and data collection, and strategies for supporting dairy farmers to meet evolving requirements without adding undue burden. NFU Scotland Milk Committee members shared insights on the specific challenges and opportunities facing Scottish dairy farmers, emphasising the importance of collaboration between assurance bodies, farmers, and industry stakeholders.
The discussions reinforced Red Tractor’s focus on a shared commitment with farmers to ensure that British dairy products remain trusted and competitive in both domestic and global markets.
