Changes to Red Tractor Assuance Farm Standards from 1st of October 2011

From 1st October 2011, Certification Bodies will start assessing Red Tractor Assurance (RTA) farm members against the revised RTA Farm scheme standards.

The revisions are the result of a regular review of the standards to ensure they continue to be in line with legislation and reflect good agricultural practice consistent with industry needs and expectations. The review involved experts from across the industry and farming sectors and included a public consultation in spring 2011.

All RTA farm members received notification of the planned revision of standards in the June member newsletter.  In addition, they should also recently have received further notice of the changes from their individual Certification Body or milk first purchaser.

David Clarke, CEO at Red Tractor Assurance said: At Red Tractor, were committed to ensuring high standards in food and farming. This latest review helps to ensure that the Red Tractor standards continue to progress in line with the latest industry needs without adding unnecessary costs or complexity 

Farmers are advised to check they meet the revised requirements and prepare for their audits in advance by reading the RTA Farm scheme addendums they have been sent or downloading a copy from the RTA website www.redtractorassurance.org.uk.

• This review will affect the standards owned by Red Tractor Assurance across various Agricultural Sectors including- Beef & Lamb, Crops, Dairy, Pigs, Poultry and Fresh Produce.

• Red Tractor Assurance Standards have been developed and refined over ten years in consultation with experts from the farming industry, the food supply chain, experienced scientist, academics and independent specialists. These specialists form the Red Tractor Assurance Sector Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and Sector Boards .  

• RTA conduct over 60,000 audits every year against the standards in order for the farms to be certified and recognised as assured .

• The Red Tractor Standards cover animal welfare, food safety and environmental practises and have been developed to include regulatory requirements, best industry practice and at the same time, be practical, achievable and fit for purpose.
  

Red Tractor

Red Tractor, run by not-for-profit organisation Red Tractor Assurance, is recognised as the UKs leading quality food assurance mark guaranteeing food safety, quality and traceability. Put simply, Red Tractor means Great Food, Great Farming.

Red Tractor is backed by farmers and growers, food producers, processors and packers who are independently inspected to ensure they are meeting high standards of production relating to food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection.

High profile support comes from the government, leading supermarket chains and many of Britains food brands and restaurants.

The Union Flag in the Red Tractor logo provides an independently verified guarantee to consumers of the products provenance/origin and shows the food is fully traceable back to British farms.