Red Tractor responds to damning farm assurance review  

Following the results of the farm assurance review, published in January, Red Tractor has now issued a full response, promising to take stock of the findings and deliver change.
 
The independent review concluded that a “fundamental reset” of farm assurance is needed in the UK, to rebuild confidence among farmers. 
 
It came after the significant backlash against Red Tractor’s decision to introduce the Greener Farms Commitment in October 2023, which was subsequently axed.
 
The Red Tractor Board of Directors has now issued a statement responding to each of the nine strategic recommendations in the report, and outlined the actions it will take to implement the 56 detailed recommendations.

Key priorities

The 45-page response follows an “intensive period of reflection and consultation” among Red Tractor’s Sector Board representatives and independent experts.
 
Among its key priorities are: ensuring on-farm audits are reduced, simplified and delivered more consistently; embracing technology and managing data to deliver more effective farm assurance; and making farmers the driving voice in standards development.
 
It also pledged to implement a new communications strategy focused on building trust and engagement with farmers.
 
Other key asks from the review, which Red Tractor has flagged as a priority include: revising standards, implementing a right of appeal for audits and addressing the impact of audits on farmer wellbeing.

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Call to action

Jim Moseley, Red Tractor CEO called the review “a turning point” for farm assurance in the UK and a “call to action” for all schemes to deliver better outcomes. 
 
“Where possible, Red Tractor has committed to immediate action, prioritising improvements where we can have most impact,” he explained. 
 
“For more complex issues where there is a need or opportunity to work with others, Red Tractor has already written to those involved to offer collaboration and looks forward to working with them if requested to do so.” 

Reactions from members

David Exwood, industry director at NFU welcomed Red Tractor’s response and the input from all sector boards.

“It demonstrates a desire to listen and make changes where appropriate. The key now is that we collectively use this opportunity as a reset moment, giving farmers a stronger voice in assurance, delivering better outcomes for everyone involved.

“I feel we are now on the right track, ready to make positive changes at pace.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Throup, industry director from the British Retail Consortium said that while retailers support Red Tractor, for standards to work effectively, the farming sector must be engaged, listened to and well-understood.

“The Farm Assurance Review has helped surface key issues that all assurance schemes need to prioritise.

“The Red Tractor Board’s response has the collective endorsement of all Board representatives, including retail, and is one that I hope will be welcomed as we work hard to deliver our immediate and future commitments.”

Work has begun

Red Tractor said it has begun work to streamline standards, improve audit efficiency and embrace new technology, all of which should reduce the audit burden for farmers. 
 
The scheme will also focus on improving how it communicates, particularly with farmers and growers. 
 
The review’s lead commissioner Dr David Llewellyn has been appointed to monitor delivery against the recommendations. 
 
Red Tractor will be submitting updates to Dr Llewellyn directly, as well as regularly updating on progress through a dedicated page on its website: redtractor.org.uk/FAR  

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