Below is a copy of an email I sent to 2 email addresses at Red Tractor on the 12/12/23. I received no answer, so I chased Red Tractor for an answer at the beginning of this week. Still no response.
The Information Commissioner's Office (IOC) expect data requests to be handled within 1 calendar month.
Another farmer has just told me they have been waiting since October for information about data sharing and has chased Red Tractor twice about it.
So here we are with yet another example of how Red Tractor treats it's farmer members. If the boot was on the other foot they would now be stopped from trading having failed to comply within 30 days!
Dear Ms Tacon,
I am a combinable crops grower and an increasingly reluctant member of Red Tractor. I am writing to you in my capacity as a farmer, and as a member of the steering committee of the British Farming Union.
I am a member of Red Tractor because it has now become a necessity for me to retain access to the marketplace that was once freely open to me. However, I do not perceive that I receive any tangible benefit from my membership, other than access to the same marketplace that was once available to me without payment to Red Tractor. I am sure you can see how that is causing some resentment, especially as UK agriculture moves through the Agricultural Transition period and the phasing out of direct payments.
I note in your open email to Red Tractor Members dated the 23rd October 2023 that you stated that “Red Tractor has a clear policy on data sharing – the farmer controls their own data and, as with current systems, nothing is shared without the farmers express permission, which they can withdraw at any time.
I ask you to outline what data Red Tractor shares with 3rd parties and why they share it.
I also ask you confirm, in writing, that the withdrawal of my permission for Red Tractor to share data with any 3rd party would not result in any negative impact on my business, or interfere with the marketing of my produce, or the delivery of that product to the purchaser.
If you are unable to confirm the above, I would suggest that my ability to control my data is not really within my control as you suggested. Just as my membership of Red Tractor is no longer really voluntary as I cannot market my produce without it.
I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,
George Renner
For the British Farming Union
The Information Commissioner's Office (IOC) expect data requests to be handled within 1 calendar month.
Another farmer has just told me they have been waiting since October for information about data sharing and has chased Red Tractor twice about it.
So here we are with yet another example of how Red Tractor treats it's farmer members. If the boot was on the other foot they would now be stopped from trading having failed to comply within 30 days!
Dear Ms Tacon,
I am a combinable crops grower and an increasingly reluctant member of Red Tractor. I am writing to you in my capacity as a farmer, and as a member of the steering committee of the British Farming Union.
I am a member of Red Tractor because it has now become a necessity for me to retain access to the marketplace that was once freely open to me. However, I do not perceive that I receive any tangible benefit from my membership, other than access to the same marketplace that was once available to me without payment to Red Tractor. I am sure you can see how that is causing some resentment, especially as UK agriculture moves through the Agricultural Transition period and the phasing out of direct payments.
I note in your open email to Red Tractor Members dated the 23rd October 2023 that you stated that “Red Tractor has a clear policy on data sharing – the farmer controls their own data and, as with current systems, nothing is shared without the farmers express permission, which they can withdraw at any time.
I ask you to outline what data Red Tractor shares with 3rd parties and why they share it.
I also ask you confirm, in writing, that the withdrawal of my permission for Red Tractor to share data with any 3rd party would not result in any negative impact on my business, or interfere with the marketing of my produce, or the delivery of that product to the purchaser.
If you are unable to confirm the above, I would suggest that my ability to control my data is not really within my control as you suggested. Just as my membership of Red Tractor is no longer really voluntary as I cannot market my produce without it.
I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,
George Renner
For the British Farming Union
Last edited:
