24 March 2025
For the past decade, Red Tractor has been recognised by the European Commission as a Voluntary Scheme (VS) which assures crops and sugar beet through compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
By being a Red Tractor farmer, you gain certification under the RED as part of your annual assessment, avoiding the need for a costly and time-consuming audit that could cost up to £1,500. This streamlined process helps you access the European biofuels market.
Challenges with the RED and NUTS2 Codes
Significant challenges loom with the RED. A critical aspect of compliance is the NUTS2 codes that assign greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions values for crops. These codes must be submitted for approval, by the European Commission. The process the Commission has had of prioritising Member State submissions has meant that as it stands, there are currently no approved NUTS2 values for UK feedstocks, significantly limiting UK grower market access into the whole biofuels market.
Government Delays and Red Tractor’s Response
The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for recalculating and submitting the NUTS2 values. Unfortunately, delays in getting these figures approved by the European Commission have left UK farmers at a disadvantage while competitors abroad secure compliance for their crops.
In response, Red Tractor has collaborated with other industry organisations like the NFU and AIC to raise awareness among government officials. Industry leaders have been actively pressuring the DfT to prioritise this issue.
Accreditation Challenges Post-Brexit
Accreditation has become another hurdle, as the UK’s exit from the EU has led to recognition issues for UKAS, the UK’s accreditation body, which is necessary for RED-approved schemes. This situation not only affects Red Tractor’s certification process but is also a broader issue impacting various voluntary schemes globally
While stakeholder discussions are ongoing, Red Tractor has worked with UKAS closely to find an alternative solution to ensure compliance, such as exploring dual accreditation options. However, this path comes with its own challenges, including substantial costs and potential duplication of efforts.
Union Database (UDB) and Compliance
The Union Database (UDB) was introduced to improve traceability and prevent biofuel fraud. Red Tractor has worked with the provider of the UDB to ensure that growers can be registered into biofuels transaction, an advantage over those who are not registered, but legal disputes over the database’s implementation have emerged across multiple EU member states. These have led to pushback against its current implementation.
Red Tractor’s Commitment to Members
Red Tractor remains committed to advocating for UK farmers, ensuring transparency and collaboration in addressing regulatory challenges. In December 2024, Red Tractor received a positive assessment from the European Commission, securing recognition under RED III and in the same month also received recognition from the UK’s RTFO- the UK version of the RED.
Despite the hurdles ahead, we continue to support you, ensuring you voices are heard and that you remain informed as the landscape evolves.
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