Producers have been invited to take part in a Red Tractor consultation on proposed changes to its Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards.
Red Tractor asked producers to consider what the changes would mean in practice on farms and for vets, advisers and others across the industry. Every audit point was reportedly reviewed by a sector-specific Technical Advisory Committee, which was made up of farmers, vets, processors, retailers and other industry representatives, before separate sector boards reached consensus on the proposals that are now being put forward for consultation.
Red Tractor said that by aligning the Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards, farmers in England assured for both dairy and beef will benefit from a “significant reduction” in duplication between the two sets of standards.
Key changes across both schemes include fewer prescriptive audit points and a more farm-specific approach to livestock health planning, including an annual review focused on each farm’s health priorities and an agreed action plan.
The assurance scheme said the proposals would reduce the requirements for Beef & Lamb by one third by consolidating and reordering requirements and removing prescriptive detail where it does not add value. It also said that by aligning the Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards, there would be a reduction in duplication between the two.
The proposals also include a small number of additional requirements on practical welfare and resilience, covering extreme weather, feed safety, disease planning, nutrient management and housing.
“No two farms are the same, so it’s important we hear from a range of farm businesses.”
John Dracup, Red Tractor
John Dracup, chair of the Beef & Lamb Sector Board, said the process follows Red Tractor’s commitment to deliver practical improvements to assurance. He commented: “We want to hear all points of view, but particularly those of farmers.
“No two farms are the same, so it’s important we hear from a range of farm businesses. If something is unclear, or there’s a more practical way of demonstrating compliance, we want to know.”
The consultation period runs from 22nd September to 3rd November 2026 and is open to all stakeholders. Beef & Lamb and Dairy scheme members can view the proposed changes and respond to the consultation here.
Similar consultations for proposed changes to standards for Pigs and Poultry will follow later in the year, Red Tractor confirmed.
David Barton was recognised by the assurance scheme for his contribution to the Beef & Lamb standards review through his role as National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Livestock chair.
