Overview
An introduction to how decisions are made at Red Tractor
Welcome to the Red Tractor Governance Handbook, a comprehensive guide that outlines the governance structure, operational procedures, and key policies of Red Tractor.
This handbook serves as a resource for all stakeholders involved in the governance of Red Tractor, providing clarity on the organisation's governance framework and operational processes.
By adhering to the guidelines and principles outlined in this handbook, stakeholders can ensure alignment with Red Tractor's values and objectives, ultimately contributing to the organisation's purpose of promoting British produce that's safe, traceable and farmed with care.
By detailing the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, outlining decision-making processes, and providing insights into operational procedures, this handbook aims to foster a culture of good governance and best practices within the organisation.
It serves as a specific reference guide for board members, committee members, staff and in the spirit of transparency, it also provides guidance for anyone interested in Red Tractor - enabling them to navigate the governance structure of the organisation effectively.
Red Tractor was launched in June 2000 and is the trading name of Assured Food Standards – a business incorporated in 2003. Throughout this document we have used “Red Tractor” for simplicity.
Red Tractor is the UK's largest food chain assurance scheme, setting standards and ensuring compliance at every key stage of the chain, to reassure consumers that food is produced safely and responsibly.
Our standards cover animal welfare, food safety and environmental protection, and all Red Tractor produce is traceable back to UK assured farms.
Red Tractor champions high standards across the food chain, and our logo is the most trusted food mark among UK consumers.
When the Red Tractor's there, your food's farmed with care.
Our logo is only found on British food and drink products that have been certified to meet rigorous standards, from farms to pack.
This means that the food you buy has been responsibly sourced, safely produced and comes from crops and animals that have been well cared for – so it’s good for you and good for British farmers.
Championing high standards in the UK food chain.
Red Tractor was founded in 2000 by the UK farming industry and food businesses to establish a single set of standards for UK food and drink.
Since then, we have grown to become a world-leading food chain assurance scheme, with over 46,000 UK farmers and over 900 food and drink operators and sites in our network.
We have and always will work closely with experts, scientists, vets, and the government to ensure that our standards are robust, relevant and up to date.
Red Tractor is more than just a logo.
We are a not-for-profit organisation that aims to make a positive difference to the British food and farming sector, as well as the environment and society.
By choosing Red Tractor products, you are supporting British farmers who care for their animals, crops and the countryside.
Red Tractor certified businesses throughout the farming and food supply chain also contribute to the UK economy, creating jobs and opportunities for rural communities.
Our vision is to be the world-leader in food chain assurance and the pride of British food & farming, relied on by consumers, buyers and governments at home and abroad.
Our purpose is to be everyone’s first choice for food and drink by being reassuringly safe and farmed with care.
We are constantly striving to ensure our standards and services meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers.
We are also committed to improving the experience of Red Tractor assurance for our farming and food chain members, using technology, data and innovation.
This handbook is designed for all stakeholders involved in the governance and operations of Red Tractor, including:
Ownership Body Members: The six Owners of Red Tractor plus the Food & Drink Federation who sit as Observers.
The Red Tractor Board of Directors (The Board): To understand their roles, responsibilities, and decision-making at Board meetings and in any sub-committees they may sit in (Standards, Audit & Finance, Nominations, Remuneration).
Standards Committee Members: To guide them in those delegated responsibilities from The Board of developing and delivering standards, and scheme operation.
Sector Board Members and Technical Advisory Committee Members: To provide clarity on operational procedures, policies, and how their work contributes to Red Tractor’s wider Vision & Purpose.
Food Chain: To gain insights into Red Tractor's governance structure and standards, fostering collaboration and alignment with industry practices.
Regulators and Government Bodies: To understand Red Tractor's governance framework and compliance with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, to understand where Red Tractor can assist government controls on food safety and production.
By catering to a diverse audience of stakeholders, this handbook aims to promote a shared understanding of Red Tractor's governance principles and operational guidelines, fostering collaboration and alignment across the food chain.
Representative: Red Tractor is the most representative UK assurance scheme. Each agricultural sector has it's own board and at least one Technical Advisory Committee - the compositions of which are made up from a wide selection of that sector's supply chain.
Balanced: Achieving balance is a crucial aspect of standard setting at Red Tractor. This is why each sector board will have equal representation of farmers & growers, processors and retailers.
Democratic: Every representative is treated equally at every level of Red Tractor's governance - The Board, Sector Boards and TACs. The views of all stakeholders are encouraged and considered, and decisions are made via consensus or majority.
Each layer of Red Tractor's governance serves a purpose. Click to expand the infographic, below, for more details.
About: Red Tractor is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (£1). The Ownership Body (or “the Owners”) represents the entire supply chain that Red Tractor provides assurance for.
Composition: There are six owners - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), The National Farmers Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), Dairy UK, the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
There is also one observer, the Food and Drink Federation, which sits as an observer at the meetings, bringing the insights from the branded food manufacturers.
Roles and responsibilities: The Ownership Body provides the guarantee, appoints the Chair and Directors and, where necessary, the Owners can amend the Company's Articles of Association.
It is required to meet once a year for an AGM. In practice, the Owners typically meet twice a year and delegate all responsibility for the management of Red Tractor to the Board of Directors, who may exercise all the powers of the Company.
About:
The Red Tractor Board of Directors are the principal decision makers at Red Tractor. They play a crucial role in providing oversight, strategic direction, and ensuring Red Tractor adheres to its vision and purpose - of ensuring UK produce is safe, traceable and farmed with care.
The Board's Roles and Responsibilities:
The Board brings insights and experience across the supply chain to inform and develop the organisation’s Vision, Purpose, Business Plan, Strategies and Objectives:
Governance oversight - ensuring Red Tractor operates according to its governing documents, legal requirements, and governance best practices.
Strategic planning - contributing to the development and implementation of strategic plans aligned with the organisation's mission and goals.
Financial stewardship - overseeing financial management, budget approval, financial reporting, and risk management.
Risk management - identifying and mitigating risks that could impact operations, reputation or stakeholders.
Stakeholder engagement - engaging with members, partners, regulators and the public to promote transparency and accountability.
Implementation - The Board of Directors delegate responsibility for implementing the business plan to the permanent staff of Red Tractor, who are led by the CEO.
Sector chair directors
Beef & Lamb : John Dracup
Dairy : Tim Lock
Crops & Sugar Beet : Kit Papworth
Pigs : Stewart Houston
Poultry : Iain Gardner
Fresh Produce : Lucy MacLennan
Industry directors
Farm Unions : David Exwood
AHDB : Will Jackson
British Meat Processing Association : Dean Holroyd
British Retail Consortium : Sophie Throup
British Poultry Council : Vacant
Independent directors
Farmer & Vice Chair : Alistair Mackintosh
Vet : James Russell
Consumer : John Pain
Finance : Chris Goodwin
Science : Guy Poppy
Chair: Alistair Mackintosh (interim)
CEO of Permanent Staff:
Jim Moseley
Standards Committee:
Role: Reviews overall technical strategy & delivery, particularly for cross-sector issues.
Attendance: Alistair Mackintosh (Chair), All Sector Chairs, Guy Poppy, John Pain, James Russell, Red Tractor Permanent Staff
Frequency of meetings: 6 a year
Sector Boards:
Role: Determines the technical strategy for the sector that contributes to the Vision & Purpose
Attendance: Sector Chair, TAC Chair, representatives from the food chain, Red Tractor technical managers
Frequency of meetings: 3 a year
Technical Advisory Committees:
Role: Advise on technical wording of proposed standards
Attendance: TAC Chair, representatives from farmers and agricultural organisations
Frequency of meetings: ad hoc
Audit & Finance:
Role: Strategic oversight of income & expenditure, minimum reserves, internal accounting, future finance, facilities and risk register
Attendance: Chris Goodwin (Chair), Dean Holroyd, Lucy MacLennan, AFS Chair, CEO and Head of Finance
Frequency of meetings: minimum 2 a year
Nominations:
Role: Oversight of appointments - Sector Boards membership, Industry and Independent Directors, VC and CEO
Attendance: Alistair Mackintosh (Interim Chair), Tim Lock, Sophie Throup. By Invite: CEO
Remuneration:
Role: To consider remuneration of CEO & Directors (except Chairman which reverts to Ownership Body)
Attendance: Alistair Mackintosh (Interim Chair), Sophie Throup, Iain Gardner, Chris Goodwin. By invite: Head of Finance
Frequency of meetings: once a year
