'Small but important' changes to Red Tractor pig standards from this autumn

A number of changes have been made to the Red Tractor pig standards and will take effect from October 1. 

The main changes cover new trichinella requirements set out in EU rules, environmental permits, pig identification, animal health and welfare, including on-farm euthanasia and Real Welfare data, and animal medicines.

The full set of standards can be found here while a summary of the changes and further explanations can be found here.

In a communication to scheme members, Red Tractor said: "Our standards are the bedrock of progressive farming and underpins our industry’s strength and credibility, securing its future as a world-leader.

"The farming industry has faced significant challenges over the last year - driven by global events and other factors.

"This includes avian influenza, rising input costs and labour availability. To accommodate the impact this has had on food and farming, and responding to member feedback, our Technical Advisory Committees, which are made up of farmer representatives, leading industry experts and supply chain stakeholders, and our sector boards have been reviewing some of our standards."

"This has resulted in necessary changes for some our members to meet the challenges in an ever-changing world."

The changes to the pig standards are described as 'small but important'. Red Tractor explains that the main changes are a result of several external influences, such as the changes to the legal requirements around the trichinella controls for the export of pigmeat to the EU as a result of Brexit.

"We have also improved the clarity on some of our standards having listened to member's feedback following the launch of our latest set of standards back in November 2021," it added.