The post Red Tractor Board Update – March 2026 appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>The Board received an update from the Standards Committee on the significant progress being made by the six Sector Boards and their Technical Advisory Committees (TACs). They are reviewing standards and assessment processes in line with the objectives and priorities published in December.
We acknowledged the substantial effort involved in reviewing every farm-facing standard line by line, ensuring each requirement is justified, removing duplication, and improving clarity. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and attention to detail.
The next steps in this programme include stakeholder consultation in the autumn, followed by sign-off, UKAS approval, and implementation across all relevant systems. Reviews of this scale often take three to four years in other organisations, so completing this work within two years is ambitious. We remain committed to meeting this timeline while giving ourselves the space needed to get it right.
We also considered feedback from Sector Boards on water and air quality. Given the complex and fast-evolving nature of this topic, we agreed with the recommendation to maintain a watching brief, with no immediate actions.
Red Tractor continues to work with Grounded Research to enhance how we gather and use feedback from farmers and growers. The Board reviewed early insights from new questions added to the post-assessment survey, as well as data from the 2025 tracking survey.
Feedback on assessors remains particularly strong: 84% of respondents this year rated their professionalism and conduct as excellent. The reported length of assessments has also seen a slight improvement, with 83% of members saying the duration was “just right” in 2025. While the overall picture is very positive, we recognise there are still areas for improvement, which the assurance team is monitoring closely as part of our continuous improvement programme.
To deepen our understanding of perceptions of Red Tractor – not just experiences – we are working with Grounded Research on a dedicated farmer sentiment survey. This will explore the drivers of trust and help shape our communications. We will also be running focus groups to help us dig further into the findings.
Throughout 2026, Red Tractor will once again be attending major food and farming events across the country, as well as hosting our own sessions to meet members and wider stakeholders face to face.
The Board has completed and approved Red Tractor’s Business Plan for 2026-27. The plan takes into account the internal and external environment in which we operate, including increased import competition, activist campaigns, sifting government policy and food inflation.
The overarching aims – aligned with our existing vision, purpose and values – are to:
These priorities are supported by a detailed set of measurable objectives.
As announced after the meeting, the Board reviewed the Nominations Committee’s recommendation to appoint Paul McLaughlin as Red Tractor’s next Chief Executive. Following discussion of the recruitment process and Paul’s extensive experience, the Board unanimously approved the appointment. We look forward to welcoming Paul when he joins on 5 May.
Following the recent NFU elections, Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President, has also joined the Board as the farming unions’ representative, replacing outgoing director David Exwood.
We have been greatly encouraged by the positive feedback on Red Tractor’s work over the past year, including at NFU Conference and Agritech. We hope this progress will be reflected in the final report from the Farm Assurance Review commissioners, expected later this spring.
Maintaining this momentum requires sustained effort from many people. As always, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Red Tractor team, and to everyone serving on our Boards and TACs, for their exceptional commitment to supporting British food and farming.
Kind regards,
Alistair Macintosh, Red Tractor Chair
Red Tractor Board members:
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]]>The post A day in the life of a Red Tractor farm assessor appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Farm Assurance Assessor Jim Franklin explains how he carries out Red Tractor assessments and supports farmers in the process.
Having spent 30 years milking a herd of 150 Holstein Friesian cows, calving all year round, there’s no place I’d rather be than out on the farm, working with farmers. After leaving dairy farming, I was unsure what to do next, but my role as a Red Tractor assessor has allowed me to stay connected and support farmers in the sector. It’s opened my eyes to the different systems and innovative practices being used across the agricultural industry.
I typically visit one site a day to give farmers a good amount of time, and to ensure I don’t rush the process. This also means that every day offers something different, which I thoroughly enjoy. I travel the Scottish Borders, across Wales, down to Oxford and to Somerset, meeting farmers from dairy, beef, lamb, and arable sectors. They’re all working hard to produce high-quality British food in their own way – because of who they are, where they are and what they’re trying to achieve on their farm.
My preparation starts well before I set foot on a farm. About three weeks before each assessment, I will ring the farm to confirm the booking and details. During this call, I also check if they’re using the Red Tractor portal, which offers a great way to help prepare for an assessment. It’s not a requirement, but if they’re using the portal, I check they’re aware of its features and ask farmers to make sure their documents are uploaded 48 hours in advance of my visit to their farm.
This ensures I have time to review everything before I arrive. On the day of the assessment, I make sure I have the farm details ready, and all the essentials packed – a fully charged laptop, checklist, the Red Tractor standards, pen and paper, a clean pair of wellies and waterproofs.
When I arrive on the farm, the first step is to introduce myself to the farmer and explain exactly what I’m there to carry out, and the order for the next two to three hours. It’s important to establish a positive relationship with the farmers I assess.
I know they take pride in what they do, so I listen and reassure them that my role isn’t to catch anyone out. My job is to record the high standards they’re working to through consistent protocols, and a fair and open dialogue.
I am there to learn about how they farm, to share knowledge, and to aid their understanding of what the requirements of the standards are, which, when delivered with politeness, honesty, and a willingness to listen, is received positively. By the time I’m suited up, I have a good idea of how the farm is run and its layout, and the farmer knows what I’m there to look for.
I then start the walk around the farm, generally going from clean to dirty, beginning in the parlour, then moving to the cows, medicine cabinets, calf rearing, and so on. Next, we undertake a couple of audit trails – usually over a cup of tea – which involve reviewing the necessary paperwork and documentation used to capture objective evidence within the requirements of the standard.
During this closing meeting, I provide a summary of what we’ve seen and any non-conformances that need addressing. This is the time to answer any final questions and try to support the farmer as much as possible.
Even with my background in dairy farming, as a self-employed farm assurance assessor, I know that I need to keep learning to stay current. I’m regularly assessed to ensure that my knowledge is up-to-date.
Every five years I undergo animal welfare training with AssureWel and partake in annual mobility scoring exams with the Register of Mobility Scorers (RoMS). In addition, I have a witnessed assessment every two years, where a senior assessor accompanies me on farm to observe my work.
I also use the Red Tractor Online Academy and participate in webinars to make sure I’m aware of any changes in standards and protocols across the dairy, beef, lamb and crop sectors. My experience as a dairy farmer has proved to be one of the biggest assets in my role, particularly as one of the main misconceptions about assessors is that they don’t have the agricultural knowledge and experience.
On top of my knowledge, 30 years in farming has allowed me to emphasise with the farmers I meet. I know what it’s like to feel nervous about an assessment, and to be on the other side of the table, having been through the same process myself. But I believe this experience makes me better at what I do.
On most occasions, I know the mindset I’m walking into, and the challenges farmers are facing, meaning I can approach each assessment with an understanding that every farm is unique. I’m proud to still be part of the industry I’ve always cared about, and if I can help farmers feel supported, confident and recognised for the standards they work hard to achieve, then I know I’m doing my job well.
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]]>The post Red Tractor’s incoming CEO explains what bought him to the role appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Red Tractor were looking for someone with experience in member organisations, a link to food and drink (and ideally farming), assurance schemes and commercial development. It felt like they were writing a job tailored to me. Red Tractor takes all of my experience to date and wraps it up into a single organisation’s purpose. Giving British farmers a mark that means something to them, and giving retailers and consumers confidence in what they are buying is a message I can really get behind, and the scale and responsibility of delivering this is what drew me to this role.
I’ve worked across many parts of the food industry, starting as a graduate at Mars Confectionary and then at The Coca-Cola Company. As quality assurance manager, I was responsible for ensuring standards across five franchisee manufacturing plants. From there I became Commercialisation Director and was responsible for new product and packaging introductions across five countries.
As CEO at Scotland Food & Drink, I worked with farmers, producers, processors and retailers – NFUS, DairyUK and AHDB around the table, along with the Scotch Whisky Association, Seafish, the Scottish Salmon Producers and more.
From there, I was Managing Director of Scotty Brand, where I worked directly with farmers across multiple produce types – potatoes, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, soup mixes, burgers, bacon and biscuits – selling into the major retailers and convenience stores.
As CEO of Building Engineering Services Association, we operated a UKAS accredited competent person assurance scheme and operated the refrigerant gas register, REFCOM. And most recently, at Rail Safety and Standards Board, I was responsible for supplier assurance. Initially outsourced, I brought auditing in-house and led an improvement in audit standards and customer satisfaction.
My first priority is to listen. I want to get out on farms and meet people who carry the Red Tractor mark and understand what that means – positive and negative. I also want to meet our retail partners and, very importantly, get to know the Red Tractor team. There is an awful lot of good work being done by the team, and I want to understand that fully before I consider any changes. A CEO who arrives thinking they have all the answers usually doesn’t.
Red Tractor already reaches the majority of food on British supermarket shelves, and that is a scale most brands can only dream of. The opportunity is to make that scale count for more – so that farmers feel proud of the mark, retailers stand behind it with confidence, and consumers understand what it actually stands for. It’s a great story and Red Tractor needs to tell it.
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]]>The post Red Tractor appoints new Chief Executive appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Paul McLaughlin has a distinguished career spanning food, farming and assurance. He started out in food manufacturing, working with Mars and The Coca-Cola Company before becoming the inaugural Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink where he brought together producers, processors and retailers. As Managing Director of fresh produce business, Scotty Brand, he oversaw the supply of a wide range of products including potatoes, carrots, fruit and meat to the UK’s major grocery retailers. He has also held leadership roles at the Building Engineering Services Association and most recently at the Rail Safety & Standards Board where he led the transformation of a major assurance scheme.
Talking about his appointment, Paul McLaughlin said: “British farming is the backbone of our food system, and the farmers and growers who meet the Red Tractor standard deserve a scheme that works as hard for them as they work for us. I want Red Tractor to be something that farmers can be genuinely proud of and that retailers and consumers trust completely. I’ll be doing a lot of listening first, and then getting to work.”
Alistair Macintosh, Chair of Red Tractor said: “Paul brings a unique blend of experience working within food, assurance and multistakeholder organisations. He really impressed the interview panel with his considered and strategic approach to leadership and demonstrated the dynamism needed to drive continued improvement at Red Tractor. I very much look forward to welcoming him to the Red Tractor team.”
Paul’s appointment follows a comprehensive, open recruitment process and was ratified by Red Tractor’s Board of Directors on 13 March 2026. He joins Red Tractor at a pivotal time for the organisation as it continues to review its standards and deliver its vision to be the pride of British food and farming.
Paul will take up the role on 5 May, enabling him to work alongside Red Tractor’s outgoing CEO, Jim Moseley, before Jim retires at the end of May.
Paul will join Red Tractor’s Board of Directors, working alongside industry, sector and independent directors representing the full breadth of UK food and farming.
Following the recent NFU elections, Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President has also joined the Board to represent the farming unions. He replaces outgoing director, David Exwood.
Read Paul McLaughlin’s answers to questions about what bought him to the role at Red Tractor
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]]>The post Crops standards review “is about more than just reducing bureaucracy” appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Farmers and growers are no strangers to change. Whether driven by market demands or consumer expectations, the pressure to adapt is constant. Following last year’s farm assurance review (FAR) and Red Tractor’s announcement on a review of its standards, the industry is at a critical point – one that will determine how the scheme evolves to meet the demands of the farming sectors.
Growers have made it clear that the current system, with its overlapping standards and audit duplication, can feel more burdensome than beneficial. This review will look to streamline the assessment process, ensuring that each subsector – including crops and sugar beet – has standards that reflect its unique needs and challenges.
At the same time, the supply chain has shown a willingness to take a pragmatic approach, recognising growers’ concerns and the demand for a proportionate assurance scheme that works both on farm and for the end market.
As a farmer and Chair of the Crops Sector Board, I’m actively facilitating these discussions across the supply chain to achieve consensus on the way forward. Both, the Sector Board and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) bring together a wide range of voices, with strong grower and NFU representation to ensure concerns are fully considered throughout the sector.
In the coming months, we’ll review each standard, line by line, to ensure that’s it’s justified, necessary and fit for purpose. If it isn’t, we won’t include it. As part of this work, we’re considering whether more tailored standards that recognise the diversity within our sector are appropriate, such as a model with a legislative baseline and premium add-ons for the likes of malting barely and milling wheat. This structure could also help to address concerns regarding imports produced to lower standards, undercutting Red Tractor assured cereals, particularly in feed.
Alongside the standards themselves, the assessment model is also under scrutiny. We continue to discuss whether lower risk farms with a strong compliance record could have less frequent audits, submitting evidence of compliance in-between via the portal.
I want to stress that engagement remains central to this process. Revised standards are expected to go out for formal consultation in the autumn when growers will have another opportunity to the shape the outcome.
This review is about more than just reducing bureaucracy; it’s about ensuring that the Red Tractor scheme remains fit for the future. My hope is that the end result is a system that supports the future of British agriculture while ensuring that our products continue to meet the expectations of consumers and industry alike.
This article was originally published in CPM Magazine in March 2026.
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]]>The post Support for farming communities in Northern Ireland appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>The one-day fundraising challenge, ‘Spring Forward Give Back’ takes place on 7 March. The charity is hoping at least 100 people or businesses will raise £1,000 each on the day. The collective target of £100,000 will enable Rural Support to support those in the farming industry at a time of growing pressure and uncertainty.
Demand for Rural Support’s services continue to grow rapidly. All funds raised will go towards helping provide practical, financial and emotional support, which will act as a vital lifeline for those in need.
Alistair Mackintosh, Chair of Red Tractor, says: “We’re pleased to stand with the farming community in Northern Ireland. The funds raised by Rural Support NI will make a real and lasting difference to those facing financial stress, emotional pressure and uncertainty. It’s a fantastic initiative and Red Tractor encourages local people and businesses to get involved.”
There are many ways to get involved, from taking on a personal challenge or rallying friends and family to raise funds in the lead-up to 7 March.
Access support from farming charities across the UK:
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]]>The post Broiler growers invited to support new research on AI technology and farm assurance appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Daisy Cooper’s dissertation aims to understand how broiler farmers feel about current audit processes, as well as their views on using artificial intelligence (AI) camera systems to complement assurance audits. The project focuses specifically on how data from AI technologies could support auditors – not replace them – to provide continuous, objective insights. Daisy spent her Harper Adams placement year working with the Red Tractor Standards Team.
To gather real-world perspectives, Daisy is inviting UK broiler farmers and anyone working with broiler chickens (aged 18+) to complete a short, anonymous survey. The questionnaire takes around 10 minutes and offers producers the chance to share honest feedback on farm audits, technology use, and any concerns or opportunities they see.
This research is highly relevant as the sector considers how innovative tools could ease audit pressures, strengthen evidence gathering, and support both farmers and assurance bodies. Input from broiler producers will help ensure any future developments remain practical, farmer-focused and grounded in real on-farm experience.
The survey will remain open until the end of March 2026. Click here to take part.
By taking part in the survey, producers will be contributing directly to work that may help shape industry discussions and future assurance practices, and feed into the upcoming review of the Red Tractor Poultry Standards.
For further information, Daisy can be contacted at: [email protected]
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]]>The post Crops Sector Board Update – February 2026 appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Dear Members,
Our February meeting of the Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet Sector Board was kindly hosted by Heygates at their Northern flour mill. The tour was an excellent reminder of how Red Tractor-assured grain underpins high-quality UK flour and bakery products. My thanks to George Mason and the Heygates team for their time and hospitality.
Before the formal meeting, Joe Brennan from UK Flour Millers gave an overview of flour milling’s priorities, including resilience in the face of global instability and the implications of the EU Alignment SPS agreement for trade. He noted that around 85% of all milled flour in the UK is sourced from UK farm assured growers and that the sector makes a notable contribution to the UK’s economy.
Around the table, Board members reported what many of you are facing on farm: a very wet season, global instability having a knock-on effect in many supply chains, increased customer requirements, and very tight margins in the sector.
This was also reflected in your feedback on the draft Sector Strategy priorities for improvement to the Red Tractor Crops Scheme, which was open for six weeks. Overall, the feedback confirmed the priorities already identified by the Board: audit frequency, how we use data and digital tools, the future of segmentation, and concern about import standards and equivalence.
The underlying issues closely matched what this Board has been hearing over the last year and we will continue to seek your views via the farmer sentiment survey. This feedback will inform our next steps for crops assurance, including a comprehensive review of standards by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
We also considered environmental pollution issues, particularly water quality, in the context of the recent ASA ruling and campaigning by some NGOs. The Board agreed that enforcement of environmental law must remain with regulators such as the Environment Agency (EA). Red Tractor may, however, have a role in facilitating industry-led solutions and helping to secure earned recognition where this reduces duplication and unnecessary inspections.
The Board agreed that we should set out, in a clear briefing to the Sector Board, what environmental checks are already embedded in our standards. Red Tractor was also invited to participate in the cross-industry water quality group as an observer and will continue to champion what farmers already do.
The Board heard how Red Tractor has been working with Carling to produce an educational “grain to glass” video on the value of Red Tractor-assured barley for their beer. Board members welcomed the film and agreed Red Tractor should seek further opportunities to demonstrate the value and build understanding of assured crops across the supply chain. There is interest in similar collaborations with the distilling sector.
The Board received an update on new digital tools on the Red Tractor Member Portal, including the ability to upload geo-stamped photos to demonstrate conformity, a “documents shortlist” option to help growers prioritise which documents to upload and the ability to link third party templates. Red Tractor is also strengthening links with farm software providers to make compliance simpler and easier to manage.
Our priorities remain clear: protect food safety, preserve and grow market access for British crops and deliver demonstratable value back to farmers. Your continued feedback is essential as we take this work forward.
Best wishes,
Julian Sturdy
Red Tractor Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet Sector Chair
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]]>The post Fresh Produce Sector Board Update – February 2026 appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Dear Members,
The Fresh Produce Sector Board met on 19th February 2026 for a productive and wide-ranging discussion covering standards development, water pollution regulation and opportunities to support members through upcoming changes. Growers continue to face ever mounting pressure due to challenging market conditions and increasingly unpredictable weather, underscoring the importance of this work. It was highlighted that the potato sector is facing severe financial and production pressures driven by low prices, reduced contracts, poor weather impacts, limited diversification opportunities, and declining market demand.
The Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) continues to make good progress in its review of the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Standards. The TAC has been meeting regularly and is now moving towards completing its review of the core requirements. The Committee is taking a thorough, line by line approach and remains committed to reducing duplication and developing smarter, outcomes focused standards that reflect current legislation, new evidence, and real-world compliance data. The Board welcomed the constructive way all parts of the supply chain are contributing to the process and outlined progress on the standards review, development of a leafy salads bolt-on, and audit burden research. The Sector Board also continues to provide input on risk segmentation, scheme design, and clearer communication.
The new leafy salads bolt‑on has been drafted to address industry concerns around STEC contamination and will be launched in 2026, before potential integration into core standards as part of the standards review.
The review covers 179 standards and 480 audit points, assessed through ongoing workshops, shared documentation, and engagement with stakeholders to ensure consistency with the other schemes.
The TAC will share draft sections of the updated standards with the Fresh Produce Sector Board for comment as they are completed. As part of this process, we also considered stakeholder feedback on the scheme’s proposed priorities. Although the number of responses was low, the feedback generally supported the overall direction, and key insights will be passed to the TAC to help inform the review.
We were pleased to welcome Lucy Jellicoe from Grounded Research who presented the feedback following the survey of fresh produce members. The research shows that perceived burden is driven by crop risk level rather than number of schemes, with strong support for earned recognition and segmentation to reduce duplication. As a result, the TAC is exploring options for more tailored standards according to risk level.
The Board discussed future expectations around water quality following a request from the Red Tractor Board of Directors for each Sector Board to explore these issues at a high level. This was a forward-looking exercise, not a proposal for change.
A recent Red Tractor online briefing from NFU helped clarify the current regulatory context including Defra’s ongoing review of water quality legislation.
Board members highlighted key environmental risks – such as nutrient runoff, soil erosion and reputational impacts from visible pollution – and noted the importance of grants and monitoring. Some overlap between Red Tractor and LEAF was acknowledged, while recognising each scheme’s distinct focus.
The Board recognised that Red Tractor may have a role in an industry-led approach, but noted the complexity of the issues, differences across crop type, devolved nations, and the need for further exploration. This will remain on the agenda.
We heard about the significant improvements being made to the Red Tractor Member Portal. These enhancements are designed to streamline assessments and give members more user-friendly digital tools.
Assessors have been trained on the new system and will use the Portal when members choose to adopt it. Recognising the significant efficiencies for using the Portal to share records and reduce audit lengths for seed potato growers, Safe Haven members now need to use the Portal to upload records ahead of their assessment. Using the Portal remains optional for all other members.
Thank you to all Board members and contributors for their insight and commitment. As always, our focus remains on supporting fresh produce farmers and growers, strengthening trust in the Red Tractor scheme and ensuring our standards remain proportionate, practical and future ready.
Veryan Bliss
Chair, Red Tractor Fresh Produce Board
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]]>The post Beef & Lamb Sector Board Update – February 2026 appeared first on Red Tractor.
]]>Dear Members,
I am writing to update you following the recent Beef & Lamb Sector Board meeting and to share the substantial progress being made by the Beef & Lamb Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as part of the comprehensive review of Red Tractor Standards. Given the importance of this work, I want to ensure you have clearer visibility of the process, the progress made and the direction of travel.
Thank you to everyone who recently took the time to share your views on the sector strategy. I recognise that providing feedback requires time and effort, and I am grateful to all who engaged. Your comments, particularly around audit burden, duplication, and the clarity and practicality of the standards, are central to shaping Board discussions and the work now underway. These themes align closely with concerns raised through wider engagement and are directly informing the standards review.
The TAC is making good progress in completing its line-by-line review of all Beef & Lamb standards and audit points. This has involved detailed examination of evidence and careful discussion between farmer representatives, technical specialists, vets and industry bodies. Throughout, the Committee has scrutinised every word to ensure standards are auditable, unambiguous and reflective of real-world farming practice. A key priority has been removing subjectivity in how assessors apply the standards, supporting a more consistent experience for members.
A complete draft of the revised standards will be presented to the next Sector Board in June and will be shared with members later in the year. This work aims to directly address the concerns many of you have raised, audit burden, duplication and clarity. The review is about ensuring the standards remain fit for purpose, proportionate and reflective of modern farming practice.
Your feedback – together with the industry-wide expertise on the TAC – has been, and will continue to be, central to this process.
The Beef & Lamb Board also held an important discussion on water and air quality, following a request from the Red Tractor Board of Directors for each sector to consider potential future expectations in this area. As part of routine scenario planning the Sector Board was asked to explore, at a high level, what future air and water expectations could look like. This was a request for consideration, not a proposal or a request for change.
The sector board heard how Defra is currently reviewing agricultural pollution regulations in England, including the Farming Rules for Water, NVZ regulations and SAFFO. Early indications suggest these may be consolidated and potentially strengthened. Environmental permitting for the cattle sector is also under consideration, which could prove costly, burdensome and impractical for beef (and dairy) enterprises.
The Board agreed that there may be a role for Red Tractor in supporting an industry-led approach. However, these issues are complex and will require careful exploration. We will continue to keep this firmly on our agenda in the months ahead.
Members should be aware that pressure in this area is likely to increase. NGO and activist activity is growing, and customers, are identifying water quality as an emerging supply chain rain.
The Board heard an update from Nick Major on the evolving regulatory landscape, including developments in both Europe and the UK. As supply chain solutions mature, Red Tractor will continue to assess how best to respond on behalf of members, ensuring any approach is proportionate, practical and workable for producers.
We are also strengthening practical support for members through new digital tools on the Red Tractor portal. These include the ability to upload geo-stamped photos to demonstrate conformity, a “documents shortlist” function to help prioritise uploads, and the ability to link third-party templates. In addition, we are enhancing integration with farm software providers to make compliance simpler and easier to manage.
I am acutely aware of the pressures facing beef and lamb producers and the scrutiny under which the sector operates. The work of the TAC is central to ensuring the Red Tractor scheme remains both credible and workable, delivering a high level of assurance without unnecessary burden. We remain committed to open communication as the significant programme of work progresses.
Thank you again for your engagement, professionalism and continued commitment to high-quality, responsible British livestock production.
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