25 August 2022
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Don't be caught out by standards changes.
WITH audits coming in thick and fast, those operating in the UK potato industry are being urged to familiarise themselves with changes and amendments to the latest Red Tractor standards to avoid non-conformances.
THE new Red Tractor standards (version 5) came into force in November 2021 and the changes have been in place for the best part of a year, with audits ongoing.
One of the most notable additions to all the Red Tractor schemes is the requirement to have a Health & Safety policy in place which is documented and communicated to staff members. New employees must also receive an induction to the farm, an explanation of their job role and reporting lines. This should be documented so you can demonstrate compliance with the new standard.
For Fresh Produce, the updated standard now includes measures for ensuring the farm presents an acceptable and tidy appearance to the public. In addition to this, daily start-up checks are now required for harvesting operations, and if pest control is managed in-house, the responsible person must have received certified training. Amendments have also been made in relation to chemical storage, whereby a list of stored PPPs must be updated monthly to encourage improved stock control.
Around 50,000 British farmers are accredited to Red Tractor standards, which form the basis of buying and sourcing specifications for major supermarkets, household brands and restaurant chains. Today £14billion of British food and drink carries the Red Tractor logo.
