Red Tractor seeks to cut admin burden for livestock and dairy

Farm assurance body Red Tractor is promising a significant reduction in the audit burden for livestock and dairy farmers, but with a number of “added extras” to ensure the scheme continues to meet legal and market expectations.

The changes are outlined in a new six-week consultation into Red Tractor standards for the two sectors and follow a “line by line, word by word” review of all existing standards by the Technical Advisory Committees.

See also: Red Tractor announces major review of farm standards

According to Dairy Sector Board chairman Tim Lock, the proposed changes should result in a 25% reduction in scheme requirements for dairy producers and a 33% reduction for beef and sheep producers.

Some of this is attributed to plans to align beef and lamb with certain dairy standards in England, in order to achieve a “significant reduction in duplication”.

The proposals also include fewer audit points and a more “farm specific” approach to livestock health planning.

This will involve the farmer and their vet agreeing a 12-month “roadmap” as opposed to a more prescriptive “health plan”, with defined steps and timelines.

It is hoped this will reduce the number of “non-conformances” associated with the current approach.

Additional standards

However, a number of additional standards are included in the consultation, intended to ensure Red Tractor remains “fit for the future”, according to Beef & Lamb Board chairman John Dracup.

For example, under the heading of “practical welfare and resilience”, there is a draft requirement for livestock to be provided with shade during periods of extreme heat, and for two new feed safety audit points to be included, covering intake and storage, in order to reduce the chance of diseases such as botulism entering the food chain.

For farmers in England, there is also a plan to tighten up on nutrient management.

“It goes a little further than the manure management plan, because it includes all types of nutrients, and is about identifying where you should and should not spread, and matching what you applied to the crop need and soil type,” said Mr Dracup.

“There is also a proposed recommendation that pain relief is used following procedures and conditions likely to cause pain, including but not limited to calving, lameness, and mastitis.”

Another recommendation, this time for dairy farms only, is that every person who interacts with animals must complete and sign a new Red Tractor code of conduct on animal care and handling.

“This is a written commitment on how animals are handled and treated, including an undertaking that anyone who sees or hears of mistreatment will report it,” said Mr Lock.

Proportionate

According to senior technical manager at Red Tractor, Jemma Holden, the aim of the review is to ensure standards are proportionate and reflect current farming practices and legislation.

“In parallel, we are looking at the assessment cycle – what is checked during the assessment and how technology can better support assessments,” she said.

The new standards consultation is open until 3 November, with a view to introducing any agreed changes in 2027.

To help co-ordinate the feedback, farmers are urged to use the online form attached to the consultation, rather than send in individual emails or letters.

Response

The NFU has welcomed the progress made on making the assurance standards clearer and easier to navigate.

NFU Dairy Board chairman Ian Harvey said: “We are still working with the Technical Advisory Committee to streamline the audit process itself, recognising and rewarding compliance, to help place less pressure on dairy producers during inspections.”

He encouraged all dairy farmers to take part in the consultation “to help ensure these changes deliver real benefits on farm”.