Little red tractor appears on bread

6 February 2001



Little red tractor appears on bread

By Donald MacPhail

LOAVES of bread bearing the little red tractor logo will soon be going on sale across the country, farmers representatives have been told.

Licences have been issued for bread made by two major companies to carry British Farm Standard mark.

This was announced by Jonathan Tipples, chairman of the Associated Combinable Crops Scheme, at the National Farmers Union AGM in London on Tuesday (06 February).

Since its launch last summer, the logo has appeared on more than 500 lines including fresh meat and poultry and fruit and vegetables.

But it had proved more difficult to ensure processed goods met the assurance and environmental and welfare requirements of the scheme.

Mr Tipples told delegates at a plants forum that this breakthrough cleared the way for the logo to appear on foodstuffs containing bread.

“This is important for bread and other items like pies, sausages and stuffing,” explained Mr Tipples.

One licence has been issued for bread containing 100% British grain — usually budget ranges.

The second will contain 95% UK grain with the remainder made up from imports.

In the past farmers have expressed concerns that foreign foodstuffs can qualify for the logo, although to date none are reported to be carrying it.

Afterwards, Mr Tipples said he was not concerned that some bread carrying the little red tractor logo will contain foreign grain.

He said there had to be a minimum threshold, but said he would consider suggestions on increasing the British content.