Red Tractor Assurance – New standards
October 7, 2021
There have been changes to the RTA scheme, some of which come into force at the start of November. The main updates are outlined below, but please click here for full details:
Dairy
NEW: Tethered housing systems, for stock of any age, will not be permitted on Red Tractor farms.
NEW: Commitment to eliminate the routine euthanasia of calves by 2023. A new standard is focused on a written breeding and management policy.
NEW: A health plan now needs to be signed, dated and reviewed annually by a nominated vet, who should visit the farm at least once a year.
NEW: All farms with workers must have a written health and safety policy.
Beef and lamb
NEW: Tethered housing systems, for stock of any age, will not be permitted on Red Tractor farms.
NEW: Individual farm protocol for eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). This needs to be documented in a health plan and implemented.
NEW: All farms with workers must have a written health and safety policy.
NEW: The health plan now needs to be signed, dated and reviewed annually by a nominated vet who should visit the farm at least once a year.
UPGRADED: At least one person on farm must have undertaken medicine training to help raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and drive best practice.