Red Tractor has published its response to the UK Farm Assurance Review and its nine areas of recommendations, including the reduction and simplification of on farm audits.

The independent UK Farm Assurance Review was published in January, and outlined a number of detailed recommendations under nine broad themes. 

The nine recommendations were;

On-farm audits must be reduced, simplified and delivered more consistently
There must be a transformational step forward in embracing technology
Schemes need to reset and/or restate their structures to establish farmers as the driving voice in standards development
An industry-led initiative must set out the future environmental ambitions for farm assurance
The inclusion of regulatory requirements within farm assurance should be conditional on government agreeing a form of ‘earned recognition'
There must be greater collaboration between farm assurance schemes across the UK
Schemes must better position the UK farming industry in world food markets and in competition with imported food
All schemes must review and improve their communication with farmers
The Red Tractor scheme must complete the implementation of recommendations in the Campbell Tickell report on its governance.

Red Tractor's response

Red Tractor said its response acknowledges “deep frustrations” expressed by producers, and welcomes the review as an opportunity to “reset” that relationship.

The food chain assurance scheme said its board supports the review’s recommendations and is fully committed to delivering improvements to farm assurance.

It said it fully supports the recommendation to reduce on farm audits and is committed to ensuring its standards are consistent, simplified, meaningful, and as efficient as possible.

On technology, the scheme said it was committed to improving data management, and said it had started seeking views from stakeholders on what data integration it should prioritise.

Interim chair of the Red Tractor Board, Alistair Mackintosh, said: “All involved with Red Tractor want farmers to feel heard, involved and proud to be part of Red Tractor.

Red Tractor said it has began work to streamline standards, 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.