Following a series of increased scrutiny and criticism, Red Tractor launched a major investment in order to become the flagship for British food and farming.

Part of this is the strengthening of the farm inspection programme, introducing a new risk-based approach.  This was successfully rolled out across the pig sector in 2018 and will include all other schemes by the end of 2019.

What is the risk-based approach?

Following a farm assurance inspection, the nature and number of non-conformance will be used to categorise members in to reputational risk.  Standards with a greater impact, such as welfare conditions have been given a greater risk weighting.  The details of the weighting system will not be released because Red Tractor want to encourage all farms to meet all standards every day.

Members that fall in to the higher reputational risk category will be subject to unannounced inspections and will be charged for the cost.  However, for members that are categorised as low risk, a normal inspection regime will continue.

The new regime is designed to be tougher on poor performing farms!What is an unannounced inspection?

If you are categorised as a high-risk farm you will have to complete a questionnaire, this will include:

• 3 contact numbers for the inspector to ring when they arrive on site.
• Descriptions of your daily routine, including milking times, when you are available etc.

These details will be used to increase the likelihood of someone being available when the inspector arrives.  If no-one is around, the inspector will leave a note and return at another time.  The member will be charged for the cost of the un-announced inspection, with price decided by the certification body.Following an unannounced inspection, if no improvements have been made you will be suspended on a temporary period until standards have been rectified.  If improvements are still not made, you will be withdrawn from the scheme.

You will normally be given 28 days to rectify any non-conformances.

What do you need to do?

As a Red Tractor member, you need to ensure all standards are met all day, every day, all year round.

Top tips for this include:

• Keep your health plan and medicine records detailed and up to date.
• Ensure all staff have access to your emergency plan.
• Keep complete Plant Protection Products (PPP) application records.
• Have a farm map showing all buildings, fields, watercourses, areas of high pollution risk and bait point locations.
• Repair or remove any sharp edges and broken gates/pens in your buildings.
• Update your bait plan regularly – including replenishment dates and bait point inspection details.

Also, Red Tractor suggest that you put together a contingency plan that considers what you would do if you were suspended from the scheme for example, alternative outlets.

We know that you are passionate about the animals and crops you produce, and we are passionate about ensuring you are a low-risk farm.

If you have any queries, would like any advice or require help to fill in your paper, please contact Cari at the Rural Compliance Service on 01249 750151 or email caribeard@fcgagric.com