NSA supports AHDB decision to remove assurance scheme grant
The National Sheep Association (NSA) has voiced its support for the decision taken by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to cut levy board funding to Red Tractor.
The AHDB board decided it was “no longer appropriate” to provide annual seed corn funding to Red Tractor as it is “financially established and self-sustaining.” The decision has taken effect from this financial year, however Red Tractor has been informed that future funding could be provided if specific projects were identified that would be to the benefit of levy payers.
AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir said: “It remains AHDB’s clear position that farm assurance is necessary and important to farming success, as a consumer benchmark (or ‘kite mark’) denoting safety, quality and provenance and/or in helping farmers achieve premium prices where food is produced to particular standards which customers and consumers attach additional value.”
Saphir added: “The industry is about to experience a period of considerable change and it is AHDB’s absolute determination to ensure that we are spending levy payers’ money in ways that deliver value by supporting them in successfully and profitably facing the future.”
Time for a change
Commenting on AHDB’s announcement, NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “While NSA is a strong supporter of the principle of farm assurance in order to demonstrate the sector’s credentials to the marketplace, and has also supported Red Tractor Assurance for many years, NSA is in agreement with this decision made by AHDB.
“For lamb producers it is questionable that all levy payers should contribute financially to one assurance/branding scheme when only circa 40% to 50% are actually members of it. It is also right to point out that there are other British assurance and certification schemes that have never enjoyed levy support.”
With AHDB now inviting its levy payers to register to have a say in how their funds are spent NSA is keen to show its support for the consultation. Stocker continued: “NSA appreciates the changes that AHDB is going through and considers it essential the levy board comes through this process of change with a full review of its activities and expenditure, including levy payer input, as they have planned for spring 2022.”
NSA are encouraging all sheep farmers who pay the levy to register to vote on this now and be prepared to take part when the vote opens in the spring.
Red Tractor disappointed by decision
A Red Tractor spokesperson said: “Red Tractor is disappointed to learn of the AHDB board’s decision to no longer provide annual funding. We are focused on delivering for our members and we continue to listen to them, sharing their ambition for greater promotion of British food and farming.
“Regrettably, the AHDB’s funding decision means we will now need to reconsider our advertising plans, which we understand will come as a disappointment to farmers and the wider food supply chain.”
Red Tractor, which helps to promote the produce of 46,000 certified farms, stated that it would continue to work with AHDB ‘on many levels’, including promoting exports.
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