Lightening The Load
Red Tractor members already meet new UK vet attestation requirement || Biofuels update
Later this year a change in legislation will mandate that all farmers selling livestock for slaughter must have facilitated an annual farm veterinary visit. This visit is necessary for the product from the animals to be eligible for export outside the UK.
The primary purpose behind implementing this new rule is to align with EU export requirements. It ensures that there are checks in place to verify the absence of notifiable diseases and to provide general guidance on farm biosecurity.
The new legislation comes into force on December 13th.
However, the great news for Red Tractor assured farmers is that you are already covered as Defra have confirmed we are a qualifying scheme so you do not need to do anything additional – simply confirm to buyers that you are Red Tractor assured.
This is a great example of the benefits of Red Tractor membership, and how it can lighten the load for farmers by providing a valuable exemption from red tape and unnecessary costs.
By being a part of the scheme, you will have a smoother and more streamlined process when you sell your livestock, saving you time and resources. Your commitment to excellence has been recognised by Government which gives you a more efficient and cost-effective way of doing business.
By being a member of one of the voluntary assurance schemes, such as Red Tractor or Scottish Quality Crops (SQC), UK growers can display their adherence to the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and thereby access the biofuels supply chain. This presents a valuable advantage for growers, as it opens an additional market for their grain simply by having the assurance certification.
However, with the UK's exit from the EU, the future access of UK farmers to the EU biofuels market is in question, as the European Commission informed us last month that they will not acknowledge non-EU accreditation agencies such as UKAS after December.
Red Tractor has responded quickly and is collaborating closely with SQC, AIC, and the entire biofuels supply chain to explore all potential solutions. We wrote to our Crops members earlier this month to explain how we are working to ensure that they can continue to supply grain to the biofuels sector.
We will keep you informed with any updates.
