Red tractor statement on level playing field

The flour millers statement is not true.

In short, the level of control and inspection applied to imported wheat is much higher than for UK Red Tractor assured grain, and there is consequently a heavier cost burden on imports. The cost of tests and certification alone are higher than the Red Tractor membership fee, but the suppliers still have the costs of demonstrating legal compliance, insurance and record keeping required for a defence of due diligence. Red Tractor certification and inspection means that these costs are avoided by UK growers, giving them a competitive advantage. Additionally, if the Red Tractor scheme was to be wound down it is likely that in today’s marketplace multiple schemes would be established, restricting UK growers’ ability to supply different end users unless they signed up to more than one scheme, with additional administration and audit burdens as a result.

In fact we don't even have any clarity on what the tests and certification are because most of us suspect they are not done. Its been a secret for a long time. If the control and standards are higher how come no one has been able to tell us what they are?

Furthermore why is it up to the Flour millers union to decide that farmers must pay a private company to be able to sell milling wheat. They are asking for legal compliance, insurance and record keeping - that is not a problem, a farmer can do this for no cost if the miller wanted it as a condition of sale but the miller should pay a premium for extra demands. The market for "assurance" should be opened up and not just the remit of one anti competitive company sitting on millions nabbed under co-ercion
 
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milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
The flour millers statement is not true.

In short, the level of control and inspection applied to imported wheat is much higher than for UK Red Tractor assured grain, and there is consequently a heavier cost burden on imports. The cost of tests and certification alone are higher than the Red Tractor membership fee, but the suppliers still have the costs of demonstrating legal compliance, insurance and record keeping required for a defence of due diligence. Red Tractor certification and inspection means that these costs are avoided by UK growers, giving them a competitive advantage. Additionally, if the Red Tractor scheme was to be wound down it is likely that in today’s marketplace multiple schemes would be established, restricting UK growers’ ability to supply different end users unless they signed up to more than one scheme, with additional administration and audit burdens as a result.
What my post above suggested was let's say £500 worth of tests on a batch of 60,000tonnes is far cheaper than £500 on a 28.8tonne wagon.
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
i think they are slowly getting the “we are not amused” message

desperately trying to find ways to keep relevant though still ……. maybe getting the premium they promised 21years ago could be a plan Jim !


bit of bullshiite in there re gatekeeper testing being cost prohibitive though …… it’s totally viable for large farms and co-op / central or commercial stores
 
What my post above suggested was let's say £500 worth of tests on a batch of 60,000tonnes is far cheaper than £500 on a 28.8tonne wagon.


I expect what has been discovered is that emporer has no clothes and there are no tests and traceability regularly done on imported milling wheat.

Furthermore what would the tests be anyway?
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
What my post above suggested was let's say £500 worth of tests on a batch of 60,000tonnes is far cheaper than £500 on a 28.8tonne wagon.

a boat holds a lot more than 28t

any store is just s boat that does not float really !


also no need to subject uk grain to a lot of the import test that are not relevant in a country with no access to many of the banned products or GM etc and already produced under uk legal and environmental standards
 
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teslacoils

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
is this just a pre agreed thing with the aic to make red tractor look better knowing the aic wont change, but it takes the heat off them

I think aic will be seeing the need for change to keep themselves out of the firing line.

By firing, I mean folk getting the sack. The proper sack. Not moving jobs. A "the gravy train stops here" shaped sack.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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