Red Tractor opens up review to look into ways to improve the label

The current requirements run until 2017 and a consultation has been launched ahead of standards for 2017 to 2020
The current requirements run until 2017 and a consultation has been launched ahead of standards for 2017 to 2020

The Red Tractor has opened up a review to look into ways to improve the assurance label, including issues with fresh produce, biosecurity and rodenticides.

The Red Tractor standards across the farming sectors are reviewed every three years.

The current requirements run until 2017 and a consultation has been launched ahead of standards for 2017 to 2020.

A spokesman said: "At Red Tractor we know that our standards must be kept up to date. With or without Brexit there will always be legal regulations and we cannot afford to fall behind, and new issues emerge in the minds of shoppers who buy our products.

"We therefore, review our farm standards every three years and are just launching proposals for the next update to come into effect next year.

"The changes will provide positive re-assurance on some key issues. For the next few weeks we invite comments on the changes and we will consider all the responses before finalising the standards early next year."

The National Farmers Union sits on the Red Tractor Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and relevant Red Tractor boards as part of the review process, to represent members and to provide a voice.

The NFU's presence has ensured that a number of proposed standards have been removed or amended prior to the consultation launching this month.

The consultation closes on 31 December 2016, and farmers will be consulted during the next two months to ensure that views are represented.