Red Tractor proposes one-third cut to Beef & Lamb requirements

Red Tractor is proposing to cut the number of Beef & Lamb assurance requirements by a third and Dairy requirements by a quarter as part of a major overhaul of its farm standards.

Farmers and industry stakeholders are now being asked for their views during a six-week consultation running from 22 September to 3 November 2026.

Red Tractor says the changes are intended to make the standards clearer and less prescriptive, while maintaining the level of assurance expected across the schemes.

The proposals include consolidating and reordering existing requirements, removing detail where it is considered unnecessary, and taking a more farm-specific approach to livestock health planning.

This would include an annual review focused on each farm’s main health priorities, supported by an agreed action plan.

John Dracup, chair of the Beef & Lamb Sector Board, said farmer feedback would be central to the process.

“We want to hear all points of view, but particularly those of farmers,” he said.

“No two farms are the same, so it’s important we hear from a range of farm businesses. If something is unclear, or there’s a more practical way of demonstrating compliance, we want to know.”

For Beef & Lamb members, the proposals include a small number of additional requirements covering practical welfare and resilience.

These include extreme weather, feed safety, disease planning, nutrient management and housing.

For Dairy members, the plans also include a new code of conduct on animal care and handling, alongside recommendations on cow comfort, environmental enrichment and foot-trimming competence.

Greater alignment between the two schemes is also intended to reduce duplication for farmers in England who are assured under both Beef & Lamb and Dairy.

Tim Lock, chair of the Dairy Sector Board, said the changes were designed to make assessments easier to prepare for without substantially changing what is expected of farmers.

“The aim is to make the standards clearer and more practical,” he said.

“In most cases, what’s expected of farmers remains the same, but should make preparation for assessments and demonstrating compliance easier.

“Importantly, the proposed changes also ensure that standards continue to deliver confidence in the market.”

The proposals have been developed following a line-by-line review of audit points by Red Tractor’s sector-specific Technical Advisory Committees, which include farmers, vets, processors, retailers and other industry representatives.

They were then considered by the Beef & Lamb and Dairy Sector Boards and Red Tractor’s Standards Committee before being put out for consultation.

Feedback will now be reviewed by the relevant Technical Advisory Committees and Sector Boards before final decisions are taken on which proposals move forward.

“This is a genuine opportunity for farmers to help shape what comes next,” Mr Lock said.

Red Tractor is also reviewing how assessments are carried out, including assessment cycles, what is checked and how technology could support the process.

The organisation said this work could bring further efficiencies while maintaining the rigour of the assurance system.

Any final changes will not take effect until 2027.

Following assessor training, operational updates and UKAS approval, the final standards are due to be published at least three months before implementation.

The review has also drawn on input from farming unions, government agencies, levy bodies, veterinary organisations, processors, retailers, universities and certification bodies.

Similar consultations on proposed changes to standards for Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet, Fresh Produce, Pigs and Poultry are expected later in the year.

Beef & Lamb and Dairy scheme members can view the proposed changes and respond to the consultation through the Red Tractor website before the 3 November deadline.