The Standards Development Process

How we developed the standards with your industry representatives

Tiered Standards

To shape the new tiered standards, Red Tractor brought together a group of industry experts through our Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Pigs, supported by a dedicated Task and Finish group.

This smaller working group included a mix of TAC members and four additional pig producers, representing free range systems, flexible farrowing, and both indoor and outdoor production experience. Retailers were involved at the TAC level only, providing wider supply chain input. Details of the members of the TAC can be found here.

Over the course of six detailed meetings, the group worked through the proposed standards, debating, refining, and ensuring the content was practical, evidence-based, and aligned with industry needs. Their final proposals were then submitted to the Red Tractor Pigs Board for review and inclusion in our consultation.

Once the consultation period closes, we’ll review all feedback carefully. Any necessary amendments will be made before the standards are finalised and approved by the Board.

Enhanced Welfare and Free Range Standards

The proposed standards for our new Enhanced Welfare and Free Range tiers are designed to align with existing market requirements for outdoor-bred and free range pig production.

This alignment is key to helping these new Red Tractor tiers gain broad support across the supply chain.

One area we’re still exploring is whether indoor free farrowing (zero confinement) should be included in the Enhanced Welfare tier, this is something we’d really value your feedback on during the consultation.

In general, there’s very little difference between the Red Tractor proposals and current requirements being met on outdoor and free -range farms. Where there is divergence, we’ve done so to make the standards clearer, more practical, and easier to audit, leaving out anything that didn’t feel relevant or workable.

Red Tractor's commitment to farmer engagement sets us apart from some other assurance schemes. We want to reassure members that no significant changes to Red Tractor standards will be made without full consultation with you and the wider industry.