Red Tractor pushes ahead with tiered outdoor pig standards
© Tim Scrivener The Red Tractor pigs sector board has confirmed it will create tiered standards and labelling for outdoor pig production by the end of the year, following an industry-wide consultation.
Red Tractor plans to introduce enhanced welfare modules for outdoor pig producers with the intention of reducing the compliance burden of multiple assurance schemes.
A six-week consultation which closed in early June received 122 responses from across the pig sector, with respondents representing about 225,000 sows, equivalent 90% of the English sow herd.
See also: Red Tractor seeks views on enhanced welfare module for pigs
It found that 57% of outdoor producers supported the idea of tiered standards and labelling for outdoor modules.
Respondents also outlined the need for transparent labelling for outdoor systems, with 72% of producers who replied stating that the enhanced welfare tier should not include indoor systems.
Red Tractor will now work to finalise the development of the outdoor-focused modules and update its core standards.
Pig sector board chairman Stewart Houston said:
“Taking onboard the feedback, Red Tractor will now move forwards with the industry’s request to develop tiered standards that reduce the need for compliance to multiple assurance schemes, reduce audit burden and provide clearer labelling of outdoor-bred pig meat.
“We’re also developing plans to support producers with transitioning to these modules, where they wish to.”
He added: “This consultation has provided a powerful snapshot of the supply chain’s views towards tiered labelling in pig production, from the people who matter.”
Further plans on hold
Plans to introduce a higher welfare module for indoor pigs will be put on hold following the consultation.
Less than 30% of producers who responded to the consultation supported the development of an indoor-focused “Certified Standards Plus” module.
Mixed responses were also given on whether Red Tractor should publish standards for farrowing crates, with 62% of producers suggesting it was not yet appropriate for Red Tractor to set a cut-off date for the use of conventional crates.