<p>Red Tractor and Tesco combine dairy farm audit visits || Red Tractor helps the industry to retain access to urea<b>.</b></p>
From November this year Red Tractor will audit the physical elements of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group Livestock Code Practice at the same time as completing the farms routine Red Tractor assessment.
Combining these audits will lighten the load for 450 Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) members concerned.
Thomas Atkins, Tesco Agriculture Manager, commented: “Following a service provider review we have now agreed that future TSDG auditing will be managed via Red Tractor. Moving forwards future TSDG audits will be completed at the same time as dairy farmers’ routine Red Tractor assessment.
"We have reviewed the TSDG standards and removed a number of standards which we believe duplicate the Red Tractor Dairy Standard. We are really proud of the work TSDG farmers do to prioritise health and welfare on their farms. We continue to work closely with our dairy to ensure high welfare standards whilst looking to cut red tape where possible.”
Dairy farmer and Tesco supplier Will Hosford, commented on the news: “This is a welcome change for Tesco dairy farmers like me, as it means we no longer have to have a separate annual TSDG visit by another inspector. The Red Tractor audit is the only one we need where the TSDG elements will also be checked.”
Philippa Wiltshire, Red Tractor Head of Operations, commented: “Tesco giving responsibility to Red Tractor for their auditing moving forward is a huge vote of confidence in the way Red Tractor operates.
"We are always looking to strike a balance between the level of assurance that food customers and retailers need to demonstrate to consumers and finding ways to reduce the audit burden for farmers. Technology is improving Red Tractor’s ability to reduce administration and duplication for members allowing them to share documents and data where necessary with their customers. We are keen to offer other businesses in the Red Tractor supply chain similar opportunities to help and support our farmer members.”
As part of Tesco’s acknowledgement of Red Tractor, dairy producers will upload TSDG documentation onto The Portal – Red Tractor’s digital records tool. Files uploaded to The Portal will be reviewed by processors allowing the on-farm audits to really focus on animal husbandry.
This acknowledgement echoes Tesco’s 2018 recognition of Red Tractor’s Fresh Produce standards as being equivalent to it Nurture scheme, benefitting around 800 Red Tractor fruit and vegetable suppliers.
This is an example of the benefits of Red Tractor membership, and how it can lighten the load for farmers.
Earlier this year, Farming Minister Mark Spencer warned that if the urea industry doesn't self-regulate usage this year, regulations might be imposed by Defra.
The government consultation on reducing ammonia emissions from solid urea fertilisers ended in January 2021.
To support self-regulation, the industry asked Red Tractor to introduce a standard in on-farm schemes next year which will demonstrate responsible use of uninhibited urea fertiliser.
Starting April 1, 2024, urea-containing fertilisers must only be applied in England under specific requirements outlined here. Non-compliant businesses post-April 1, 2024, will need to undergo the NEW BASIS Module: Reducing Ammonia Emissions.
This module equips farmers with knowledge and tools to lower ammonia emissions from manufactured fertilisers, organic materials in livestock settings, storage, and land application. (Note: Farmers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can apply fertiliser containing urea - solid and liquid - as per relevant legislation.)
NFU Deputy President, Tom Bradshaw said "We have informed Defra that the industry self-regulation approach to the use of uninhibited urea fertiliser under a new Red Tractor standard will be enforced from 1 April 2024.
“The NFU and industry partners fought hard for two years to achieve a robust and pragmatic industry-led approach, without this, the clear proposal from Defra was an outright ban on the use of uninhibited urea fertilisers.”
He added "With the Government’s Clean Air strategy targeting, among other things, a reduction in ammonia emissions, farming must demonstrate we can play our part in reducing emissions while maintaining competitiveness.
"Demonstrating responsible use of urea fertiliser will show government that we can act responsibly and hopefully open the door to other industry-led solutions."