Farm Assurance - again

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
That makes sense, but the NFU President as historically been on the board of Red Tractor for quite a while. Peter Kendall, Meurig Raymond and then Minette. Does this mean there is going to be a change to tack from the NFU with regards to Red Tractor? I know its a form of embarrassment for them, as I've heard it said. Surely the best way to change it, is from the inside (not sure where I have heard that before).

So Minette stepping down is a protest to the failure of Red Tractor and so she can be more critical of them?

No, I think you are stretching things a bit far with that comment.

If I remember correctly Meurig was on the RT Board when Peter was President and Minette when Meurig wasPresident. When Minnette became President she choose to keep the position as she is such a big supporter of RT.
I think we have a better balance now Stuart holds the position.
 

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
I wonder what Stuart's ideas are for RT ? as he will defiantly be able to tell RT what to do now

I would like to think you were correct but no one Board member can tell the rest of any Board what to do. Board decisions are a consensus, if you are the only one with a certain point of view you will always be in the minority and your view will seldom, if ever, prevail. Your only choice then is to resign. Stuart did that when he was Chairman of AHDB Beef and Lamb.
 

JP1

Member
Livestock Farmer
British Farmers, the best in the World ? Some are, some are pretty average and some are downright useless. However, that is no different to any other business sector, what is unique about farming is, we carry dead wood.

There is no doubt the core of our industry is falling way behind our foreign competitors, especially around the use of technology, we are to old, and to unwilling to let the next generation take the reigns. We have shied away from education and standards, the environment and welfare.

For this you can blame the system, it has always been divide and conquer. Farmers together have power, farmers divided are irrelevant. So, why not get together ? because the group would be as stated above, the good the bad and the ugly, the big and the small and wealthy and not so, and that just won't do, will it ?

The Red Tractor is to keep Supermarket buyers happy, as a ' Brand ' this is it's only relevance. Why don't we promote it Nationally, because that is not the agenda. Do you really think the Supermarkets want the housewife to flock and buy Red Tractor product, I think not.

To promote a brand today could not be easier, with all the media possibilities, it would not take a massive budget or some high flying PR guru. Social media, signage and a joined up message is all that is needed. Will it happen ? unlikely, why ? because that is not the agenda........

Our future is together (it's been said for years) promoting local produce and branding, so get you're sons and daughters motivated to get out and find a way, start small and crack on. At the moment we are withering on the Vine.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this

And right now friends are painting rainbows and #NHS tags on their windows thanking all key workers including nurses, farmers, delivery drivers, bin operatives etc and I think the general public are very receptive to APPROPRIATE marketing messages
 
Who designed the new logo ? where is the word British ? There are no end of products on Supermarket Shelves that use the words ' Produced in the UK' when the reality is the opposite. Where is the word Quality ? Why is the Union Jack half hidden.

Would have been much better if it had said. "British Quality Guaranteed" and a big Union Jack that the buyers could clearly see.

View attachment 867826

Because non British produce can use this emblem can't it?
 
The President of the NFU is the ultimate point of representation for members views and concerns.
If the membership have an issue with RT that they wish the President to pursue then that cannot happen if the President is on the main Board of RT.
As a Board Member of RT, the Presient, once outside the RT Boardroom will be expected to promote and stand behind all RT decisions. That is where the conflict lies as it may be at odds with a position the NFU wishes to take.

Having Stuart as DP take that position means that at least the NFU are "at the table" BUT as the President trumps the DP it is possible for the NFU to hold a different view on items/issues and to promote and challenge them accordingly.

But in this case the NFU are "at the table" of the corporate brand? The Corporate Brand that is Red Tractor is out to promote itself not the farmer at the end of the food chain - I don't blame the corporation at all - that's their job to grow and expand influence, make themselves sound important etc, I do question why the NFU has to aid and abet RT indulgences though.

Sounds a hash up. And it is a hash up and we farmers are encouraged to think we are too thick too see it or that it is somehow not for our little brains to do. And actually its pretty damn unethical too. The income Red Tractor get is described as "voluntary" but very few can afford not to be in it and so its essentially a tax on selling produce.

So Red Tractor have this huge tranche of rock solid income from farmers essentially under duress, and on which they indulge their fantasies of making farmers comply with 80% flimflam and 20% regulatory stuff which we do anyway, they enrich a load of beaureaucrats (how much are all these people paid - what are the top tranche getting paid?) and spunk off crap marketing which is too generic for anyone to feel a connection with (as well as allowing imports to slip through the net) and then if we question this then somehow we are not pulling together?
 
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colhonk

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Darlington
Looks like the new LOGO is to scam us British farmers into paying for foreign produce to use the logo to help to screw the british farmers who are paying for the privalage. Why are you people still members?
 

Hooby Farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
roe valley
Finally took the jump. I have decided not to renew my FQA. After a quick chat with someone in their office, they agreed that it probably wasn't worth my while if I'm only selling a couple hundred lambs every year. I did suggest that I would be willing to pay half the sub but that fell on deaf ears. I am aware this year is one of good prices, and that live markets easily out weigh selling to the abattoirs even with the 'bonus'. Perhaps its a false confidence on my part, who knows, but the only way you can know for sure is to have skin in the game.
 

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SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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    Votes: 80 42.3%
  • Up to 25%

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  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

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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