Ducks assurance scheme gets Red Tractor status
Consumers will soon have the opportunity to buy Red Tractor approved duck, following the inclusion of the British Poultry Council’s (BPC) Duck Assurance Scheme within the Red Tractor Assurance scheme.
The Duck Assurance Scheme was launched by the BPC in 2010, having been developed in collaboration with the country’s two leading producers, Gressingham Foods and Cherry Valley Farms.
It sets standards, based on scientific knowledge and practical experience, for food safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and staff training. In particular, it includes requirements for sufficient sitting and moving space, as well as easy access to feed, drinking water and bathing water.
BPC agriculture executive, Maire Burnett, explained that many of the Duck Assurance Scheme standards had been aligned with Red Tractor standards since its inception. Under the new alliance, the BPC would still effectively own the standards, but it would also enable accredited producers to apply to Red Tractor Assurance to be able to use the well-known Red Tractor logo.
“This is an exciting time for the duck industry with more people choosing to eat duck. Consumers can be assured the ducks they choose have been reared to strict animal health and welfare standards, in line with Red Tractor Assurance standards.”
Peter Bradnock, BPC chief executive
Gressingham Foods has already taken this step and announced that it is to use the Red Tractor on its retail lines of Gressingham Duck.
“We have invested significantly in the welfare of our ducks in recent years and this accreditation endorses the high quality standards we strive to achieve,” said managing director William Buchanan. “It is incredibly important for us to keep improving in every area of what we do and Red Tractor Assurance is affirmation of this.”
The new Red Tractor status adds to the Freedom Foods certification achieved for some of their farms for nearly a decade.
Peter Bradnock, chief executive of the BPC said: “This is an exciting time for the duck industry with more people choosing to eat duck. Consumers can be assured the ducks they choose have been reared to strict animal health and welfare standards, in line with Red Tractor Assurance standards.”