FAQs

Here is a selection of typical questions and resources on the changes. We'll keep this section updated as we receive questions on the changes outlined in this Technical Briefing.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A REMOTE ASSESSMENT?

A remote assessment is where compliance with standards can be checked and verified without an assessor visiting the site. Remote assessments will use technology to conduct the assessment. It may include a combination of uploading documents to the Red Tractor Portal, photos, live streaming, and telephone interviews.

The Portal: click on this button to find out more

HOW DO REMOTE ASSESSMENTS WORK?

For remote assessments, members have two options. An offline pre-assessment followed by a live streamed partial assessment, or a live streamed full assessment. Watch the video to find out more.

I AM NOT GOOD WITH TECHNOLOGY AND/OR MY MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL IS UNRELIABLE. WHAT DO I DO?

Discussions with the assessor will determine possible solutions and if no route can be found then a follow up call will take place with the certification body to discuss how to proceed.

WHO WILL CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS CHANGE?

Certification bodies will contact members directly to book audits.

ARE REMOTE ASSESSMENTS ROBUST ENOUGH?

Remote assessments offer a more flexible approach to how assessments are conducted- without relaxing any of the required standards of a physical assessment. Meeting all UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) requirements and using technology, Red Tractor can ensure that shoppers and diners have access to food that is traceable, safe, and farmed with care.

CAN I REFUSE A PHYSICAL AUDIT AND DEMAND A REMOTE ONE INSTEAD?

No, this decision will be made by your certification body. It is important to the integrity of the Scheme that farms continue to have physical on-farm audits on a regular basis. Assessors will not come onto farm if it is in a PSZ, but member farms will still need to have physical audits at regular intervals, which will be facilitated by moving to this new audit cycle approach.