Red Tractor membership now meets SFS animal health requirement

Welsh farmers enrolled in three recognised farm assurance schemes will be able to use their membership to satisfy elements of the Sustainable Farming Scheme from 2026.

The Welsh government confirmed agreements with Red Tractor and Pasture for Life on Friday (9 October), following a similar arrangement announced last month with Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers, which operates Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (Fawl).

See also: Farm assurance should count in SFS, says union

Eligible members can declare their membership through the SFS Universal Dashboard as evidence of meeting the “Measure” and “Plan” requirements of the Animal Health Improvement Cycle (Ahic) under Universal Action 12 (UA12).

However, farmers must still complete all other applicable UA12 requirements, including animal welfare measures and the Biosecurity Assessment for Incoming Stock (Bais).

Those outside participating assurance schemes must continue following existing UA12 guidance and complete the relevant requirements by the end of December.

The agreements follow recommendations from the Review of the Bureaucratic Burden on Family Farms and will inform longer-term arrangements covering Ahic and Bais from 2027.

The Welsh government said the aim was “to reduce duplication and administrative burden for farmers and veterinary professionals” while “maintaining the animal health and welfare outcomes that UA12 is designed to deliver”.

Cost and paperwork reduction

Farmers’ Union of Wales policy officer Elin Jenkins welcomed the announcement, having previously raised concerns about the additional paperwork and veterinary costs associated with UA12.

“We have been clear about the need to simplify UA12 by accepting earned recognition for farmers already completing similar processes,” she said.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to working on a simplified system for 2027 that reduces the administrative burden for family farms and ensures that the veterinary costs are proportionate to the work involved.”

NFU Cymru also welcomed the decision.

“This agreement removes the duplication that existed between SFS and farm assurance, ensuring that the good work farmers and their vets are already doing and evidencing on assured farms across the country on animal health and welfare is recognised,” a spokesperson said.

Red Tractor chief executive Paul McLaughlin also welcomed the recognition of existing assurance standards, “while reducing unnecessary duplication for farmers and vets”.

Exact details, he added, will be shared at a later stage.

The Welsh government said discussions remained open with other recognised assurance schemes interested in participating.