In line with our commitment to improving communication and engagement, and on behalf of Stewart Houston, Chair of the Pigs Board, I’m pleased to share an update from our recent board meeting held on 7th November.
The Board discussed several key topics, beginning with Red Tractor’s governance. As part of a commitment to clear and effective operations, the Sector Board took a close look at the draft revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This review was an important step to enhance transparency in governance processes and to ensure all TAC members, who are responsible for the on-going maintenance and development of Red Tractor standards, fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
Attention then turned to the Future of Assurance project, a significant initiative aimed at streamlining assessments to reduce the burden of audits for farms. Board members were enthusiastic about the project and explored one aspect in more depth. How could Red Tractor further use data to conduct more targeted assessments, which could lighten the load on farmers whilst maintaining if not improving robust compliance. There was a lively discussion around a developing idea: using information collected from quarterly veterinary visits to potentially reduce the need for checking certain standards during annual assessments, a change that would bring significant efficiency.
The Sector Board reviewed findings from a benchmarking exercise that compared Red Tractor pig standards with similar international schemes. Red Tractor standards compare favorably, but the exercise did reveal areas where standards in some other countries were moving ahead. The Sector Board considered what these advancements might mean for Red Tractor and the UK pig sector, recognising that, if agreed in future, producers would need ample notice of any significant updates to standards to be able to plan and make necessary investments.
The meeting ended with a presentation on recent consumer research exploring the potential for tiered welfare labelling for Red Tractor pork products. Though still in its early stages, the research aimed to capture consumer perspectives on various welfare labels and their potential impact on purchasing decisions. The Sector Board agreed to review a more detailed proposal on the standards for each label tier at their next meeting. By continuing this discussion, the Sector Board aims not only to align with consumer expectations but also to consider a system that rewards producers, helping them capture premium market segments, strengthen consumer loyalty, and enhance value.
The meeting concluded with a sense of progress and a clear direction for the future, as board members and the Red Tractor team continue to adapt and advance to meet industry standards and member expectations to minimize audit burden.
Best Wishes
Grace O’Gorman
TAC Chair
Pig Board members:
Stewart Houston – Chair
William de Klein – Processor
Heidi Deckker – Processor
Ash Gilman – Processor
Pig Producer Reps (indoor and outdoor) – x4 (including 1 x NPA rep and 1 UFU rep)
Natalie Smith – Retailer
Chris Brown – Retailer and BRC
Charlotte Evans – AHDB Pork
Michael Putt – Pig Veterinary Society
Grace O’Gorman – TAC Chair
