Red Tractor announces Carlings certification

Carling, the UKs No 1 Lager[1], yesterday announced its Red Tractor certification for its barley at the annual Cereals trade show in Royston, Cambridgeshire. Carling now carries the Red Tractor mark on all its multi-pack boxes and will be carrying the logo on its cans later this year.

Matthew Read, Chairman of the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme for Crops and Sugar Beet said: We are really proud to have such a leading UK brand join our Red Tractor scheme. It shows the growing importance for big brands such as Carling to choose quality farm assured ingredients. The Red Tractor logo on pack gives consumers complete confidence about the strict standards of production and the inclusion of the Union Flag ensures it was farmed and processed in the UK.

Jerry Dyson, Carlings Sourcing Manager said: Were really pleased to be able to tell our customers that 100% of our barley has met the high quality standards set by Red Tractor throughout its production, from grain to glass.

Last summer, Carling signed 70 UK growers up to a three-year deal to supply 20,000 tonnes of barley direct to the company as part of our 100% British Barley campaign.  Now the Red Tractor logo features on our packaging, we can demonstrate to customers this ongoing commitment to Red Tractor farmers and their quality products.

Peter Kendall, President of National Farmers Union (NFU) said: Carlings commitment to the UK farming industry is great news. Being part of the Red Tractor scheme sends clear messages about the quality and standards of production by our committed arable farmers and growers.

It is important that Red Tractor barley, which is produced to high, independently inspected standards, is distinguishable in the market place by the Red Tractor mark.

The Red Tractor mark now appears on over 10 billion worth of fresh food and drink in the UK and is an independent verification that the product has been made to high quality standards from farm to shelf.

Carlings certification comes just in time for the launch of Red Tractor Week 14^th– 20^th June. This marks the 10^th anniversary of the Red Tractor scheme and raises awareness of the ongoing commitment to great food and great farming.

• Red Tractor helps demonstrate the high standards followed by producers and gives consumers the assurance they need that the food they are buying meets strict standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection with a guarantee of origin.
• The flag in the Red Tractor logo guarantees the origin of the food. So the Union Jack flag tells you that the product has been farmed, processed and packed in the UK.
• The Red Tractor logo provides transparency for consumers and differentiates quality assured products.
• Red Tractor standards are maintained all the way from farm to pack. All Red Tractor farmers, processors and packers are regularly inspected by independent experts who conduct thousands of audits each year.
• AFS is owned by all links in the UK food chain from farmers to retailers.
• The Board of AFS includes respected scientists, prominent academics and experienced professionals from the fields of veterinary science, farming, animal welfare, food processing, retailing and trading standards.
• Red Tractor covers a wide range of food and drink including meat, vegetables, fruit, salads, milk, cheese, butter, sugar, beer and flour.
• The Red Tractor logo now features on products with an annual retail sales value of 10 billion. All major retailers and more than 500 leading companies use the logo.
• Standards for all sectors (e.g. chicken, dairy, vegetables etc.) have been developed and are regularly revised by some of the top industry experts to ensure that food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards are maintained appropriately and continually reflect consumer demand.
• For Food businesses, Red Tractor reinforces their messaging to customers about the importance of assured quality, traceable, food that meets high standards of due diligence.
• Carling will carry the Red Tractor logo on all its packaging from June 2010.
• Cereals is the leading technical event for the UK arable industry and takes place on Wednesday 9^th and Thursday 10^th Royston, Cambridgeshire.
• Red Tractor Week is an effective communication platform for talking to consumers about how and where their food is produced.
• Red Tractor Week helps food businesses demonstrate their commitment to supplying quality assured products and shows their support for great farming.
• High profile supporters include the NFU, AHDB, Massey Ferguson, Wells and Youngs and the Three Counties Showground.
• Major retailers, particularly Tesco and brands such as Silverspoon and Country Life are supporting Red Tractor Week.

Red Tractor foodservice, packing and processing companies including Sodexo and Brakes have also demonstrated their commitment to Red Tractor Week.

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[1] Source:1. AC Nielsen Scantrack Lager w/c 27 Dec 09 & On Beer Sep 2009