The NFU and Assured Food Standards have welcomed a decision by the Food Standards Agency to reduce the level of statutory inspections for Red Tractor assured farmers and growers, in recognition of the high standards to which they already operate. This is expected to save farm assured farmers and growers over £500,000 a year.
The Red Tractor guarantees independent farm assurance, traceability, comprehensive standards and high levels of food safety and animal welfare. Farms that are part of Red Tractor accredited supply chains have to comply with independently monitored standards of safety and hygiene that are well in excess of the legal minimums required under the food hygiene legislation.
In practice, the FSA's decision will mean that only two per cent of assured farms will face statutory inspections, as compared with 20 per cent of non-assured farms.
In a joint statement the NFU and AFS said: "We were integral in achieving this new inspection scheme which makes use of the robust systems already in place within the industry to deliver regulatory objectives and avoid duplicate farm inspections.
"Under the Red Tractor scheme farmers and growers produce fresh, quality food to a high standard of safety with guaranteed traceability back to the farm gate and we welcome this announcement which recognises the added value this brings.
"However, this arrangement must be extended to dairy farmers who also follow good hygiene practices to achieve high levels of food safety."
