Shaping the future of UK pig production
Red Tractor consultation (April 2025)
Red Tractor is consulting on a new system of standards in pig production, including the introduction of Enhanced Welfare and Free Range tiers.
The proposals
Strengthening Consumer Understanding Through Research-Backed Labelling
The Standards Development Process
We want your feedback
Thank you for reading
Red Tractor introduced tiered standards and labelling for the poultry sector in 2020.
We propose introducing new standards and dedicated product logos for the following:
Enhanced Welfare:
For pork from outdoor-bred or outdoor-reared pigs finished indoors with more space and a solid, bedded lying area.
Free Range:
For pork from pigs with continuous outdoor access.
If the industry decides to introduce a modular system of standards and logos, Red Tractor would also need to make a few adjustments to the existing pig standards.
We are also exploring another tier:
Certified Standards Plus.
This would apply to indoor farms using flexible farrowing systems (temporary confinement at farrowing) and potentially meeting additional welfare criteria. It would be clearly distinguished from the existing Red Tractor Certified Standards logo.
The Certified Standards Plus tier remains under development. While it won’t launch this year, and may not go ahead, we’re seeking your early input to inform future discussions.
Our consultation is open to all pig producers, industry stakeholders and supply chain customers. It will run from 28 April to 6 June.
Subject to your feedback, we aim to launch the Enhanced Welfare and Free Range tiers by the end of 2025.
