ui-arrow-rightui-button-arrowui-caret-downui-exclamationui-play-circle

TRACEABILITY & INTEGRITY MODULE

Version 4.0

Click to view all TRACEABILITY & INTEGRITY MODULE

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

TRACEABILITY & INTEGRITY MODULE

MP.TR.1

Standards

The site must have a fully operational and demonstrably effective traceability system, from supplier through to customer (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.1.a

Traceability system effective from the intake of livestock or raw material to the dispatch/ delivery of finished product

MP.TR.1.b

All product in the plant can be traced: - back to the supplier - forward to dispatch and the customer - forward or back one-step within 4 hours

MP.TR.1.c

Traceability of work in progress (WIP)/rework product is maintained at all times

MP.TR.1.d

The system enables any finished product labelled with any claims (in particular Red Tractor) to be validated

MP.TR.2

Standards

The site traceability system and procedures must be documented from intake to dispatch (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.2.a

As a minimum, documentation includes: - how the traceability system works (can be accompanied by a flow diagram) for all species/ products - the labelling and records required

Traceability procedure

MP.TR.3

Standards

A risk assessed schedule of testing the site’s traceability system must be documented and implemented (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.3.a

Tests: - are undertaken at least monthly, in accordance with a documented schedule to determine traceability one step forward to the customer and one step back to the suppleir - include mass balances (at least once a year) - test all species/ types of product during the course of the year - seek to verify that any Red Tractor claims made on the selected product, were done so correctly - demonstrate that forward and backward one step traces are achieved in 4 hours - demonstrate links between documents

MP.TR.3.b

Results are recorded

Traceability testing schedule, including test results

MP.TR.4

Standards

Testing of the traceability system must be undertaken by a suitable, competent person

How you will be measured

MP.TR.4.a

Testing, which includes a mass balance, carried out by a person independent of the process (either somebody in house but independent of the activity or somebody external to the company), wherever possible

MP.TR.5

Standards

Where traceability system tests demonstrate failures or weaknesses, the root cause must be determined and corrective actions must be implemented

How you will be measured

MP.TR.5.a

Corrective actions include increasing the testing frequency to weekly until there is evidence the issues have been rectified

MP.TR.5.b

The issue, root cause and corrective action are recorded and reported to relevant senior management

Testing results

MP.TR.6

Standards

The traceability system must include a complete record of movements of livestock on to the site (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.6.a

Recorded in on-site databases/ registers

MP.TR.6.b

Record includes: - arrival date of the livestock vehicle on site and time - the name, address, holding number of the supplier and the country of origin - total numbers of livestock and identifiers/ ear numbers - date of the movement off the last holding - details of the livestock vehicle and name of driver used to deliver the livestock

Site movement records/ databases

MP.TR.7

Standards

Traceability documentation for all livestock is received and reviewed to ensure it is complete (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.7.a

Relevant documentation is reviewed: - for cattle, passport, site entry forms/ animal transport certificates, Food Chain Information - for sheep and goats movement licences, Food Chain Information - for pigs, the inbound electronic licence eAML2 or equivalent (in Scotland) (ScotEID) or Northern Ireland (DAERA/APHIS paper-based system)

MP.TR.7.b

For pigs the inbound electronic licence eAML2 is checked and updated in the Destination Details section D within 3 days of delivery of pigs to the abattoir to reflect the actual number of live pigs delivered

MP.TR.7.c

All documentation is complete, including dated signatures as required. From the documentation, the site is able to record all details needed for its own on-site movement record

MP.TR.7.d

The documentation is held for 3 years

Entry forms, AMLs, Animal Transport Certificates etc.
Documented procedures

MP.TR.8

Standards

Checks are carried out at intake to ensure incoming livestock are identified, in accordance with legislation, when they arrive on-site (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.8.a

Checks are made on livestock upon arrival that: - cattle have two official ear tags - sheep and goats have the correct number and type of tags - pigs are either: - slap marked on both shoulders in England and Wales or in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the slap mark can be applied to one shoulder - ear tagged or - ear tattooed

MP.TR.8.b

If ear tags are used for pigs, they are metal and/or plastic heat and tamper-resistant and printed or stamped with the herdmark and prefixed with the letters ‘UK’

MP.TR.8.c

If ear tattoos are used for pigs, the herdmark is on one ear

MP.TR.8.d

Checks are made to ensure that the livestock identifiers correlate with movement documentation

MP.TR.9

Standards

Errors in livestock identification or movement documentation are investigated and acted upon (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.9.a

Where the error could cause a complete breakdown in traceability, the affected livestock are not slaughtered, identified and sold as Red Tractor Assured unless the error has been resolved

MP.TR.9.b

Where the issue is more minor and overall traceability is not compromised, and the Red Tractor Assured status of the livestock can be verified, livestock are slaughtered where permitted by the Official Veterinarian and site procedures

MP.TR.10

Standards

There must be clear segregation between Red Tractor Assured (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) and non-assured livestock, carcases and offal (New)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.10.a

This includes clear segregation of livestock (cattle & sheep) which are slaughtered with no prior stunning (non-stun halal or kosher) from Red Tractor Assured (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) livestock, carcases and offal

MP.TR.11

Standards

There must be correlation between the carcase and the offal, head, etc. removed during the process of evisceration and break down of the carcase, in order for those body parts to be described as Red Tractor Assured

How you will be measured

MP.TR.11.a

The body parts must correlate with the carcase they originate from, or be traceable to a batch of Red Tractor Assured (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) livestock

MP.TR.12

Standards

Carcases must be clearly labelled so that they can be traced back to source (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.12.a

Carcases are marked/ labelled with: - slaughter number unique to the days’ production for each species - batch number - slap mark - kill date

MP.TR.12.b

If Red Tractor Assured, it is labelled as Red Tractor Assured, RT, RTA, Red Tractor or RT Assured

MP.TR.12.c

If assured to a Red Tractor recognised scheme, the recognised scheme descriptor e.g. QMS can be used instead whilst the product is a split carcase, sides or quarters

MP.TR.13

Standards

The carcase must be traceable, by identification mark prior to dispatch

How you will be measured

MP.TR.13.a

The site identification mark/ hygiene approval number (EC Code) is applied to the carcase as early as practicably possible, but at least prior to its dispatch

MP.TR.14

Standards

Where carcases or product is claimed to be assured, systems must be in place to verify the assurance requirements behind the claim (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.14.a

Verification of the Red Tractor (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) assurance status is made at intake and carcasses clearly labelled as per TR.12 if the assurance status is verified as valid

MP.TR.14.b

In the case of a primal, where the product is eligible to be labelled with a Red Tractor Assured claim, but is not of Red Tractor Assured origin i.e. the animal/carcase is assured to a Red Tractor recognised scheme (e.g. QMS), the primal is labelled clearly with a Red Tractor descriptor i.e. RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured

MP.TR.14.c

The following is verified for all livestock to be described as Red Tractor Assured (or described using the descriptor of a Red Tractor recognised scheme): - the Red Tractor (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) assurance status of the farm holding the livestock have come from. Assurance status verified for the day the livestock moved off the holding - the residency period of the cattle or sheep on that holding, and where applicable for cattle and sheep, the assurance status of previous holdings, if the residency period is split between holdings - for cattle and sheep, the Food Chain Information (FCI) declaration (or equivalent in Northern Ireland) from the producer confirming that the livestock have resided on the assured holding/s for the required residency period to be described as Red Tractor Assured (or described using the descriptor of a Red Tractor recognised scheme) - the current Red Tractor (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) assurance status of the vehicle the livestock were delivered on if hauled by a commercial haulier (does not apply if farmer is transporting his own livestock in his own vehicle) - the current Red Tractor (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) assurance status of any markets or collection centres the livestock have passed through within the residency period (for cattle or sheep) / have moved through prior to travelling to the abattoir (pigs)

MP.TR.14.d

The permitted methods of verification (outlined in the relevant Appendix) are used

MP.TR.15

Standards

The Red Tractor online Industry Checker (or Red Tractor recognised scheme assurance checker services) must be used at intake to verify the assurance status of livestock (New)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.15.a

Assurance scheme certificates are not solely used to verify assurance status

MP.TR.15.b

As an alternative to using the Red Tractor online Industry Checker, the Red Tractor Tracker or an API link to Red Tractor can be used provided that information received on changes to assurance status are communicated to the relevant site personnel on the same day

MP.TR.15.c

Site acts appropriately on the information received e.g. if a farm is identified as suspended from the Red Tractor (or Red Tractor recognised scheme), the meat is not sold with a Red Tractor Assured claim whilst the suspension is in place

MP.TR.15.d

Historic date checking is used (where required)

MP.TR.15.e

Further details of the permitted methods of verification are outlined in the Appendix

MP.TR.16

Standards

Where carcase or product is Red Tractor Assured, all key process and delivery paperwork must clearly identify the Red Tractor Assured status of the carcase or product (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.16.a

Where a split carcase, side or quarter [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork] is Red Tractor Assured, it is described as either RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured in the product description on all paperwork i.e. invoices, delivery notes

MP.TR.16.b

Where a split carcase, side or quarter is assured to a Red Tractor recognised scheme, the Red Tractor Assured descriptor or recognised scheme descriptor is used to describe the product in the product description on all paperwork

MP.TR.16.c

Where the product is processed beyond a split carcase, side or quarter i.e. a primal, and is Red Tractor Assured or assured to a Red Tractor recognised scheme, the Red Tractor Assured descriptor is used to describe the product in the product description on all paperwork

Process and delivery paperwork

MP.TR.17

Standards

The traceability system must include a complete record of all movements of poultry, on to the site (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.17.a

Recorded in on-site databases/ registers

MP.TR.17.b

Record includes: - date and time of departure from the holding - arrival date and time of the vehicle at the abattoir - the farm site name, address, holding number and contact - house number - number of birds - Red Tractor farm assurance membership number - details of the livestock vehicle, REd Tractor Assurance membership number and name of the driver used to deliver the birds - catching team name and Red Tractor Assurance membership number

Movement documentation

MP.TR.18

Standards

Traceability documentation received is reviewed to ensure it is complete

How you will be measured

MP.TR.18.a

A completed Animal Transport Certificate and Food Chain Information is received for each flock of birds

MP.TR.18.b

All documentation is complete, including dated signatures as required. From the documentation, the site is able to record all details needed for its own on-site movement record

MP.TR.18.c

The documentation is held for 12 months

MP.TR.19

Standards

Errors in movement documentation are investigated and acted upon (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.19.a

Where the error could cause a complete breakdown in traceability, the affected birds are not slaughtered, identified and sold as Red Tractor Assured unless the error is resolved

MP.TR.19.b

Where the issue is more minor and overall traceability is not compromised, and the Red Tractor Assured status of the birds can be verified, birds are slaughtered where permitted by the Official Veterinarian and site procedures

MP.TR.20

Standards

Flocks are slaughtered in a batch system, with clear segregation between Red Tractor Assured and non-assured flocks, carcases and offal (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.20.a

This includes: - clear segregation from flocks slaughtered with no prior stunning (non-stun halal or kosher) from Red Tractor Assured flocks - clear segregation between flocks/product certified to different Red Tractor Assured schemes e.g. core standard (Certified Standards) flocks/product from other Red Tractor Assured scheme flocks/product e.g. Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare and also, for example, between Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare and Red Tractor Free-Range

MP.TR.21

Standards

Where product is claimed to be Red Tractor Assured, systems must be in place to verify the claim (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.21.a

Verification of assurance status is made using either: - the Red Tractor online Industry Checker at site intake prior to birds being slaughtered or - the Red Tractor Tracker, an API link to Red Tractor or a Red Tractor licensed Certification Body (for the appropriate poultry specie) live link option at a group/site level is used provided that information received on changes to assurance status are communicated on the same day to the relevant site within the group

MP.TR.21.b

Site acts appropriately on the information received e.g. if a farm is identified as suspended from the Red Tractor scheme, the meat is not sold with a Red Tractor Assured claim whilst the suspension remains in place

MP.TR.21.c

Historic date checking is used (where required)

MP.TR.21.d

The following is verified for all flocks in order for their products to be described as Red Tractor Assured: – the Red Tractor assurance status of the farm holding the birds have come from – the Red Tractor assurance status of the catching team – the Red Tractor assurance status of the vehicle the birds were delivered on

MP.TR.21.e

Product claimed to be Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare is killed using controlled atmosphere stunning in line with the requirements outlined in the Poultry Welfare (PW) section of this scheme

MP.TR.22

Standards

Where product is Red Tractor Assured, all key process and delivery paperwork must clearly identify the Red Tractor Assured status of the carcase or product (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.22.a

Where the product is Red Tractor Assured, it is described as either RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured in the product description on all paperwork e.g. invoices, delivery notes

Process and delivery paperwork

MP.TR.23

Standards

All products must be effectively labelled and in a manner that allows product to be traced, at all times

How you will be measured

MP.TR.23.a

Product is labelled with: - a number/ code which is unique to the day’s intake/ production per species. The code must link the product to its source - the approval number of the abattoir/ cutting plant the product came from - the date of slaughter/ cutting - if product is to be sold as Red Tractor Assured, it is clearly labelled as Red Tractor Assured, RT, RTA, RT Assured or Red Tractor

MP.TR.23.b

Labels are applied directly to the product or sealed packaging

MP.TR.23.c

There is clear segregation from Red Tractor Assured meat and non-assured

MP.TR.24

Standards

The outer packaging (pack or sealed container) of meat products must be labelled prior to its dispatch, to ensure it is traceable back to the site (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.24.a

Product is labelled with : - the site’s identification mark (EC Code) - pack contents e.g. chicken thighs - pack weight - slaughter/ batch code/ date, slaughter/ cutting date - durability coding (for products intended for supply to the final consumer or to mass caterers, with or without pre-packaging)

MP.TR.24.b

If product is to be sold as Red Tractor Aassured to meet a customer specification, it is clearly labelled as Red Tractor Assured, RT, RTA, RT Assured or Red Tractor and not as, for example, Farm Assured or FA

MP.TR.24.c

If product is to be sold as Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare (chicken) or Red Tractor Free-Range (chicken, turkey & duck), it is clearly labelled as such

MP.TR.25

Standards

Where product is claimed to be Red Tractor Assured, systems must be in place to verify the claim (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.25.a

Where Red Tractor claimed product is received from another site, the supplying site’s Red Tractor licence status is verified by either: - use of the Red Tractor online Licensee Checker on a risk-based frequency to establish the site holds a valid Red Tractor Licence or - use of the Red Tractor Tracker or an API link to Red Tractor provided that information received on changes to a supplier’s Red Tractor Licence status is communicated on the same day to the relevant personnel/site

MP.TR.25.b

The exception is where product received is a split carcass, sides or quarters [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork] where the supplier is not required to hold a Red Tractor Licence. Instead, the supplier’s Red Tractor assurance status (or Red Tractor recognised scheme) is verified on a risk-based frequency using the Red Tractor Industry Checker Service or Red Tractor recognised schemes checker services

MP.TR.25.c

Supplying sites’ assurance certificates are not solely used to verify assurance status

MP.TR.25.d

Where there is delivery of Red Tractor claimed product from a new suppler, the risk-based schedule of verifying the claim ensures that the new supplier is confirmed as eligible in advance of the first delivery of product

Usage logs of RT Checkers/evidence of use of recognised scheme checkers and copies of assurance certificates

MP.TR.26

Standards

Where product is to be sold as Red Tractor Assured, all key process and delivery paperwork must clearly identify the Red Tractor Assured status of the product (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.26.a

Where the product is Red Tractor Assured, it is described as either RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured, and not as, for example, Farm Assured or FA, in the product description on all paperwork i.e. invoices, delivery notes

Process and delivery paperwork

MP.TR.27

Standards

Systems must be in place to identify threats of fraudulent or adulterated food threats

How you will be measured

MP.TR.27.a

Systems include contact or networks in place with: - Trade Associations - Industry Bodies - Government e.g. Food Standards Agency, National Food Crime Unit

MP.TR.28

Standards

A risk assessment must be in place for considering the risks of fraud and adulteration of all purchased products (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.28.a

• Documented vulnerability risk assessment is in place for all purchased products which evaluates the potential risk of adulteration and/or substitution by considering as a minimum: - risk of substitution with one species for another - risk of substitution of one breed for another - risk of substitution of one geographic origin for another - risk of substitution of non-assured (including non-stunned) meat for Red Tractor meat - risk of part substitution of meat with offal - risk of condemned meat being supplied - market intelligence e.g. such as a sudden rise in popularity of a product and raw material supply needing to meet demand - economic factors e.g. cheaper raw materials making adulteration and/or substitution more attractive - surplus supply of a raw material in a supply chain - any relevant historic evidence on suppliers relating to fraudulent issues

MP.TR.28.b

Evidence that the risk assessment has been completed prior to engaging any new suppliers

MP.TR.28.c

The outcome of the assessment is a vulnerability assessment plan

MP.TR.28.d

As a minimum, the plan is reviewed annually or sooner if economic factors and/or market intelligence alters the potential risks

Risk assessment

MP.TR.29

Standards

A supplier approval system must be in place that requires all purchased meat (includes poultry) to be from an approved source (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.29.a

Evidence of an approval system which may be: - verification of a third-party certification, or - own site-based audits (which includes verification of third-party certification

MP.TR.29.b

When verifying third-party certification, the certification is checked as valid on a risk-based frequency through the use of online assurance schemes checker services e.g. Red Tractor Industry Checker or Red Tractor recognised schemes checker services

MP.TR.29.c

Suppliers of all purchased product labelled with a Red Tractor Assured claim (unless the product is a split carcase, sides or quarters [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork]) are verified as per TR.25 to ensure they hold a valid Red Tractor Licence

MP.TR.29.d

Evidence that approval method has been informed by the vulnerability assessment plan

Approval system

MP.TR.30

Standards

A supplier approval system must be in place that requires all non-meat and non-poultry product bought in to be from an approved source

How you will be measured

MP.TR.30.a

Evidence of an approval system which may be: - recognition of a third party certification, or - own site based audits - supplier questionnaire

MP.TR.30.b

Evidence that approval method has been informed by vulnerability assessment plan

MP.TR.31

Standards

Detailed Product Specifications must be in place with suppliers of all product purchased (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.31.a

Product Specifications include: - chemical standards - microbiological standards - physical standards - required origin / provenance - assurance status - If Red Tractor product is required it must be stated in the product specification clearly as RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured - a requirement for all Red Tractor Assured product (including product eligible to be described as Red Tractor Assured due to its assurance to a Red Tractor recognised scheme) to be labelled as RT, RTA, RT Assured, Red Tractor or Red Tractor Assured* so the recipient of that product (at intake) is made aware of its Red Tractor assurance status *the exception is where the product received-in is a split carcass, sides or quarters [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork] and where the product is assured to a Red Tractor recognised scheme e.g. QMS, the supplier can label the split carcase, sides or quarters with the recognised scheme descriptor

Product specifications

MP.TR.32

Standards

A documented procedure for the receipt of bought in product must be in place detailing checks that must be carried out (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.32.a

Procedure sets out: - visual checks that must be carried out - provenance and labelling checks that must be carried out - certification and assurance status checks that must be carried out - the certificates of analysis or certificates of conformance that should be received with each delivery

Documented procedure

MP.TR.33

Standards

A chemical and microbiological testing schedule must be in place that considers the quality/ safety risks of the bought in product

How you will be measured

MP.TR.33.a

Products are tested at a frequency dependent on the risk to food safety and risk of fraud/ adulteration

MP.TR.33.b

Testing frequency is documented in a schedule

MP.TR.33.c

Risk assessments are reviewed annually

MP.TR.33.d

The site conducts its own testing, or where the risk assessment identifies it as appropriate, a supplier’s test results for relevant products can be used. Before the supplier’s test results are used, a thorough risk assessment is undertaken

MP.TR.33.e

If using a supplier's test results, before they are used, a thorough risk assessment is undertaken - the risk assessment takes into consideration supplier approval audit findings, supplier previous performance, risks associated with the supplier’s production process, the nature of the product and the possible end use - any evidence the risk posed by a supplier has increased, results in a complete review of the decision to use supplier’s test results by senior management. The reviews are documented

MP.TR.33.f

Out of specification results are acted upon and evidence of the action taken is kept

Testing schedule, test results

MP.TR.34

Standards

Where a Red Tractor Assured status has been specified on purchased products, there must be a programme of traceability tests in place to establish the products are eligible to be described as Red Tractor Assured (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.34.a

For beef, sheepmeat and pork, traceability tests go back to farm level to check assurance status and includes: - a check on livestock transport assurance status - where applicable, market and/or collection centre assurance status which assured livestock have passed through since the last farm holding to the abattoir - verification of Red Tractor assurance status using the Red Tractor Industry Checker (or Red Tractor recognised schemes checkers).

MP.TR.34.b

For poultry, traceability tests go back to hatchery to check Red Tractor assurance status and include: - a check on growing farm, catching and transport assurance status - verification of Red Tractor assurance status using the Red Tractor Industry Checker

MP.TR.34.c

Traceability tests use the Red Tractor Licensee Checker (unless the product is a split carcase, sides or quarters [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork]) to confirm received-in Red Tractor claimed product is eligible to carry the claim

MP.TR.34.d

The programme operated is risk based, across the supplier base. The risk assessment considers quantities and the supplier’s previous performance, along with the risks of: - potential for loss of product identification - products that are subject to seasonal change-overs - products that are dual-sourced to meet demands - products that are regularly promoted by retailers - products of high commercial value - products in limited supply - products with a long or complex supply chain - products identified at risk through market intelligence

MP.TR.34.e

As a minimum at least quarterly trace tests are undertaken, with each species checked at least once a year

MP.TR.34.f

Any issues or concerns are acted upon (including where applicable increasing the frequency of testing of a supplier) and evidence of the action taken is kept

Trace challenge results

MP.TR.35

Standards

Bought-in product must be stored in a dedicated clean area which is suitable for the product material type (Revised)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.35.a

Products kept in the temperatures they require to protect quality and safety

MP.TR.35.b

Area dedicated to received in product

MP.TR.35.c

Red Tractor Assured product is segregated from non-assured

MP.TR.36

Standards

If selling product with a Red Tractor claim, the site must hold a valid Red Tractor Licence for that product (New)

How you will be measured

MP.TR.36.a

The exception is where a site (abattoir) is only selling split carcases, sides or quarters [beef, sheepmeat and/or pork] with a Red Tractor claim

Red Tractor Licence certificate