Risk-based approach to assessments

Ensuring trust in British farming

At Red Tractor, we are committed to reassuring the British public that food produced by our certified farmers is traceable, safe, and farmed with care. This commitment is increasingly vital as consumer awareness grows, and scrutiny from the media, activists, and the public intensifies.

To uphold our robust standards, we implement a risk-based approach to farm assessments in the Pig, Dairy, and Poultry sectors. Farms that demonstrate poor compliance with Red Tractor standards may face:

• More frequent assessments
• Unannounced visits
• Possible suspension or removal from the scheme

This approach protects the reputation of compliant farmers while ensuring that only farms meeting our strict requirements can market their products with the Red Tractor logo.

How does our risk-based assessment work?

We use a fair and objective system to identify farms that pose a higher reputational risk. Our internal classification is based on:

• The nature and number of non-conformances found during assessments
• The weighting of each standard according to reputational risk

For example, animal welfare—such as ensuring livestock are handled with minimal stress—carries more weight than documentation requirements.

What happens if a farm is found non-compliant?

Routine assessment

Carried out by a certification body, with outcomes reported to Red Tractor.

High risk classification

If poor compliance is found, the site will be deemed higher risk and an unannounced spot check will be triggered.

Spot check

Conducted without notice to determine if compliance has been maintained.

Outcome

Good compliance

Farm returns to standard assessment frequency.

Poor compliance

Suspension and second spot check triggered. The farm will need to demonstrate compliance with all standards prior to the suspension being lifted (and thus being able to sell product/livestock as assured)

Why this matters for British farming

• Encourages farms to maintain high welfare, safety, and traceability standards
• Ensures consumers can trust British food standards
• Protects the integrity of the Red Tractor logo