27 February 2024: Red Tractor is now recognised as a leader in farm data governance by Farm Data Principles Ltd (FDP) (previously the British Farm Data Council). Red Tractor’s Farm Data Principles Certificate of Registration independently verifies that Red Tractor operates to the highest standards of data security, privacy, and integrity.
FDP is a respected authority in the agricultural sector, dedicated to promoting and verifying best practices in data handling. Their new two tier certification process – Full and Provisional – for farming organisations involves a rigorous assessment of the data handler’s policies, procedures, and systems. FDP perform checks and balances on each data handler statement to ensure that the organisation manages data in line with the data principles.
The certificate provides additional reassurance to farmers and consumers across the UK. See all the Farm Data Principles certified organisations here.
Red Tractor Chief Executive Jim Moseley commented: “I am delighted to receive this endorsement for Red Tractor’s responsible handling of farm member data. It’s an area where we have a strong track record. Farmers need confidence that their data is being handled with all the necessary consent and security. Quite rightly this is a key priority for our members and the FDP Certificate is one way we can demonstrate how we are always looking to keep pace with best practice.”
Red Tractor operates a range of data protection measures, such as limiting the use and storage of member data, encrypting and anonymising sensitive data, conducting regular data audits and reviews, and providing clear and transparent data policies and consents. These measures ensure that Red Tractor respects the privacy and confidentiality of its members and handles their data with the utmost care and responsibility. As technology advances, Red Tractor will continue review and revise our security measures, providing farmers the reassurance that we will always protect their data.
Farm Data Principles Ltd chair Professor Tina Barsby OBE said: “Good farm data governance is essential if farmers in the UK are to have trust in companies and organisations who are bringing data tools to the market and handling on-farm data. Having consulted with much of the food supply chain we have formulated good farm data principles and are now ready to formally launch the certification process for those companies and organisations that can demonstrate their adherence to those principles. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the volunteer council over the past 18 months. We now have a fully functioning scheme, a contracted day-to-day operator and, we can announce that we already have several organisations who have certified.”
