Featured stories

Trade deals: The risks and rewards

Farm Assurance Review: Red Tractor leaders answer your questions

Defending your standards: Setting the record straight on animal welfare

Pigs standards consultation: Last chance to share your views on the pig industry's proposals

Appeals and sanctions: What they mean and how they work

Standing strong in a changing global market

The UK’s recent progress in trade negotiations with the EU, USA, and India marks a new chapter for British Agriculture.

For Red Tractor members, these deals present both opportunities and important challenges as the UK’s world-leading food standards are put on the global stage.

Opportunities for export growth

With the announcement of a new EU-UK trade deal and ongoing talks with the USA and India, British farmers are poised to reach more consumers than ever before.

The EU remains the UK’s largest export market for agri-food, accounting for 68% of exports in 2024.

The new agreement establishes a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, which will remove many of the costly and time-consuming checks currently required for UK exports into the EU.

This means less paperwork, fewer export health certificates, and lower costs for Red Tractor members, helping UK products compete more effectively in European markets.

Beyond Europe, the growing middle classes in the USA and India represent huge potential for premium British food. UK food, produced to high standards of safety, welfare, and traceability, is well-placed to appeal to discerning consumers looking to ‘trade up’ to quality and British provenance. With Red Tractor assurance, British farmers can promote their products as meeting some of the world’s highest standards, offering a clear point of difference in crowded global markets.

Why standards matter more than ever

As new export doors open, so too does the UK market to a wider range of imported foods - some produced to standards different from our own. The UK’s regulatory system, supported by robust assurance schemes like Red Tractor, is widely recognised for its combination of strict legal requirements and independently audited farm standards.

Red Tractor: a trusted mark for members and consumers

Amidst these changes, the Red Tractor logo has never been more important. As the UK market is set to import more food, the logo remains a simple, highly trusted signal to UK consumers that the food they buy is British, safe, and produced to leading standards.

75% of UK adults trust the food they buy and eat here, thanks in large part to the strong standards and clear labelling that Red Tractor provides.

As the UK government negotiates trade deals, Red Tractor is calling for continued defence of UK standards and for any imports to meet the same high bar.

For members, the logo is not just a mark of compliance, it is a powerful differentiator in both domestic and global markets.

Looking ahead

The coming months will see further detail emerge on the EU-UK SPS agreement and new opportunities with the US and India.

Red Tractor will continue to champion members’ interests, working with government, industry, and consumers to ensure that high standards remain at the heart of British food and farming.

Red Tractor’s leadership answering your questions

Farmers Weekly podcast host and beef farmer, Hugh Broom last month posed your questions on the Farm Assurance Review to Red Tractor’s leadership team and board members.

The Red Tractor webinar – Digging into the detail: our response to the Farm Assurance Review – took place on 28 April and gave members an opportunity to asks questions about Red Tractor’s plans to implement the review’s recommendations. Hugh moderated the webinar and was joined by:

Alistair Mackintosh, Interim Chair
Tim Lock, Dairy Sector Chair
John Dracup, Beef & Lamb Sector Chair
Kit Papworth, former Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet Chair
Jim Moseley, CEO
Philippa Wiltshire, Director of Operations

The panel answered questions posed by Hugh on behalf of members. Questions covered a wide range of issues, from improving the efficiency of assessments, using technology to lighten the load on assessment paperwork, to the value of the Red Tractor logo. We received too many questions to cover in the webinar so have published answers to all the topics covered on our website.

Find the answers on the Red Tractor website

John Dracup

Philippa Wiltshire

Alistair Mackintosh

Kit Papworth

Tim Lock

Jim Moseley

Moderator: Farmers Weekly journalist, Hugh Broom

Upholding the integrity of British Agriculture 

At the heart of British farming is a shared commitment to integrity, responsibility, and high standards.

Every day, thousands of Red Tractor Assured farmers go above and beyond to meet those expectations, caring for their animals, producing safe food, and protecting the reputation of UK agriculture. 

That’s why, when those standards are breached, Red Tractor acts decisively. 

Recently, disturbing footage emerged showing unacceptable treatment of pigs on a Red Tractor Assured farm. The scenes shown were deeply upsetting and entirely inconsistent with the values of British farming.

In response, Red Tractor immediately suspended the farm’s Red Tractor certificate and launched a full, independent investigation.  

Animal welfare is a cornerstone of Red Tractor assurance. Our standards, which align with UK law and go further in many areas, require that animals are handled with care. When we are made aware of issues on Red Tractor farms, we investigate thoroughly to ensure all the facts are established and we require robust corrective action and we monitor ongoing compliance, otherwise the farm cannot remain assured.

We understand that incidents like this are distressing, not just to consumers, but to the farming community itself. Most Red Tractor members take their responsibilities seriously and are proud to uphold the values our scheme represents. Our commitment to farmers, and to consumers, is clear: the Red Tractor logo must stand for something real. It must mean that food has been produced responsibly, to high standards, by people who care. When those standards are not met, we will act openly, quickly, and with integrity. 

We remain committed to protecting the reputation of British agriculture and to working with our members to ensure the highest levels of trust in the food produced under our assurance. 

Help shape the future of pig production standards 

Red Tractor's consultation on tiered welfare and labelling proposals for UK pig sector ends this Friday (6 June).

As reported in last month’s Member Matters and directly with pig members, the Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board is seeking views on proposals to introduce tiered welfare standards and labelling for UK pigmeat. The proposals, made at the request of the industry, have been developed by the Red Tractor Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The proposed approach could reduce audit cost and complexity for producers and simplify consumer choice. 

Since the consultation opened on 28 April, we’ve been asking for views on the proposals that could change the way welfare standards and labelling work in Red Tractor’s Pigs Scheme.

We’ve been spreading the word with the support of the National Pig Association, trade media, farming events, targeted emails and on our social channels.

Why we’re consulting 

Over the past few years, producers and industry stakeholders have consistently raised concerns about audit burden, financial pressures, and a lack of clarity around future standards. In response, Red Tractor’s Pigs Sector Board has been working on practical, industry-led proposals to address these challenges head-on. 

One of the core proposals is the introduction of tiered welfare standards and on-pack labelling, a model already in place in our Poultry Scheme. These changes are designed to reduce audit duplication, provide greater transparency for consumers, and support producers with more flexibility and clearer choices. 

Georgina McDowell, Red Tractor Pigs Technical Manager

What we’re seeking your views on  

Introducing Enhanced Welfare and Free Range modules into our Pigs Scheme, along with on-pack logos, to reduce audit duplication and help consumers make informed choices. 
Exploring how Red Tractor can support a phased transition away from conventional farrowing crates, in line with practical, financial, and legislative considerations. Potentially through the introduction of a new tier to formally recognise the use of flexible farrowing in indoor systems. 
Included in the consultation are some adjustments to the existing standards. These are required to ensure the equivalence with other assurance schemes that will deliver the reduced cost and complexity, and to ensure core standards reflect best practice.

Have your say 

The consultation is open until 6 June 2025. It is open to all pig producers, industry stakeholders, and supply chain customers.   

Watch the consultation webinar again

Introducing our new Pigs Technical Manager  

We’re pleased to announce that Carol Flint will be stepping in as Red Tractor’s Pig Technical Manager while Georgina McDowell takes maternity leave from July.

Carol is a seasoned professional in the UK pig industry, bringing extensive experience in pig production, assurance schemes, and supply chain management. She has expertise in both practical farming and certification aspects of the industry which makes her well-equipped to ensure a smooth transition and continued progress on key projects, including the welfare and labelling consultation.  

Carol Flint, Red Tractor Pigs Technical Manager

Red Tractor sanctions and appeals: What members need to know

Red Tractor has clear and consistent procedures to address situations where a member fails to comply with requirements.

These procedures are designed to uphold the integrity and credibility of the Red Tractor standards.  As part of our response to the recent Farm Assurance Review, Red Tractor reaffirmed its commitment to a fair, transparent, and consistent approach when addressing instances where standards are not fully met. The review highlighted the importance of proportionate and practical responses that support continuous improvement without putting farms at undue risk.

Any actions taken, ranging from temporary suspension to, in rare cases, the revoking of Scheme membership are carried out with care, following a thorough and fair process. This ensures the integrity of our standards, the reputation of assured farmers and trust in British produce.

Farmers have voiced their desire for clarity and consistency in how issues are managed. Here’s a breakdown of the key sanctions and what they could mean for your farm:

28 days to demonstrate compliance

What it is: If you have a non-conformance, something that doesn’t meet the standard but isn’t reported as a major non-conformance against a key standard, you’ll usually be given 28 days to address it.
Example: Paperwork missing or a cleaning schedule not updated.
What you need to do: Review the detail of the non-conformance and send evidence to your Certification Body (CB) to demonstrate compliance.

Extensions can be granted

What it is: If it’s genuinely not possible to address something within 28 days, say, structural work needs undertaking, you can ask for more time.
Who decides: It’s at the discretion of your CB, and you’ll need a valid reason.

Additional visits or spot checks

What it is: If there are ongoing concerns, the CB can carry out additional checks or adjust your assessment cycle.
What to expect: This might mean more frequent assessments or short notice visits to ensure compliance is being maintained.

Suspension of your certificate

What it is: If there’s a serious breach, recorded as a major non-conformance against a key standard, or you do not meet deadlines, your certificate can be suspended.
What it means: You cannot claim your produce or livestock is assured while suspended. This can impact your ability to trade.

Risk-based assessments

What it is: In the pigs, poultry, and dairy sectors, if compliance is poor, Red Tractor may step in with additional spot checks, sometimes unannounced.
Why it matters: It’s a warning. If standards don’t improve, tougher sanctions may follow.

Special conditions

What it is: If there’s been an issue, such as legal action or unacceptable behaviour, special conditions may be added to your membership and/or certification.
What it means: These could be time-bound requirements or ongoing checks until the matter is resolved.

Certificate withdrawal

What it is: If your certificate is suspended for more than three months, it will be withdrawn. You’ll have to reapply for membership of the scheme and would not be deemed assured until an assessment has taken place and compliance with all standards can be demonstrated.
Also applies: In rare cases where serious evidence comes to light that damages the scheme’s reputation.

Revoking membership

What it is: If you can’t (or choose not to) meet the standards or membership rules, your Red Tractor membership may be revoked altogether.
What happens: You’ll lose all scheme benefits and will not be certified for a set period. The Red Tractor appeals process can apply.

In the rare event that Red Tractor revokes a membership, the member has the right to appeal the decision.

This right is protected through a formal Appeals Procedure designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and independence.

When the appeals procedure applies

Appeals come into play only after Red Tractor has formally revoked a member’s Scheme membership. Prior to this, concerns or complaints are typically addressed either by the Certification Body (CB) or by Red Tractor directly.

Understanding Standards Classification

Key steps in the appeals process

Written notification: The member will receive a letter from Red Tractor detailing the reasons for revocation, the relevant Scheme Rules or Standards breached, and information about their right to appeal.
Appeal submission: Members have 14 days from the date of the revocation letter to submit an appeal in writing to memberhelp@redtractor.org.uk, outlining the reasons for the appeal and including any supporting documents.
Review and preparation: A Red Tractor staff member, independent from the original decision, will be appointed to manage the appeal process. A full document bundle will be prepared and shared ahead of the hearing.
Tribunal hearing: A panel of at least three individuals (including one Red Tractor board member and one independent person) will review the case. The hearing typically takes place within 30 days of the appeal being submitted.
Representation: The member may attend the hearing in person and be represented (e.g., by a solicitor or company director). Red Tractor representatives will also attend to explain the rationale for the revocation.
Outcome: The tribunal may uphold, modify, or overturn the revocation decision. The final decision is communicated in writing within 30 days of the hearing and is binding. Only one appeal is permitted per case.

Throughout the process, Red Tractor remains committed to making decisions grounded in the facts, Scheme Rules, and the principles of fairness and proportionality.

For full details of the Appeals Procedure, or if you need support, please visit the website or contact us at memberhelp@redtractor.org.uk

Have a Concern? Here’s How We Handle Complaints

At Red Tractor, we believe accountability builds trust. That’s why we’re committed to addressing all formal complaints fairly, efficiently, and transparently. If something doesn’t feel right, we’d really like to know. And don’t worry, sharing anonymously is absolutely fine.

When we receive a complaint, we follow a clear and structured process to ensure its handled properly. First, we assess whether the issue falls within Red Tractor’s remit. If it does, we move on to verify the details. If necessary, we then investigate to gather facts and context. Once the investigation is complete, we act on our findings. Finally, we report back to ensure all relevant parties are informed of any actions taken.

We also aim to resolve complaints in a timely manner. You’ll receive an acknowledgment within one working day, followed by an update within seven days. Our goal is to conclude investigations within 21 days or provide a further update if more time is required.

For more information, including guidance on how to raise a concern or make a complaint, please visit our website. You’ll find details on the types of complaints we are able to investigate, as well as instructions on how to report an issue either directly to Red Tractor or via our confidential TELL US reporting service.