Red Tractor

[Brisel]

Just read Red Tractor news that was delivered last week. I note that there is a phrase that says after consultation the new rules will be implemented in November 2021. I responded last week to the consultation, as a result of that phrase I am wondering if I wasted my time.
On the back page it claims some figures about 'primary shoppers' and projected shopping preferences . On the rare occasion that I use a supermarket I people watch and I would say that most shoppers barely look at labelling and just buy what they like and need , their objective is to feed themselves as cheaply as they can ,get round the shop as quickly as they can and get out of there. If RT conducted a survey in our local supermarkets I think the figures would be somewhat different . Where do the figures come from?, I wonder how many people actually know what RT means.

You've hit the nail on the head. Most shoppers buy on price alone, despite what they might say in a poll organised by a firm who seek to claim otherwise. Some will buy British if it's the same price as the alternatives and a small discerning and vocal minority will actually seek out food with a better provenance.

 

[Sid]

You've hit the nail on the head. Most shoppers buy on price alone, despite what they might say in a poll organised by a firm who seek to claim otherwise. Some will buy British if it's the same price as the alternatives and a small discerning and vocal minority will actually seek out food with a better provenance.

Was a survey done few years ago on shoppers going in and then their baskets on way out.
In-Welfare, environment, British
Out- cheap and convinent

the difference was outstanding!

Edit

IIRC it was presented to the room by defra

 

[Simon Chiles]

Was a survey done few years ago on shoppers going in and then their baskets on way out.
In-Welfare, environment, British
Out- cheap and convinent

the difference was outstanding!

The so called BSE crisis proved that point to me. Supermarkets dropped the price of beef on the shelves and they emptied in record time despite the press going on about how we were all going to die from eating it. Nobody gave a stuff about it as long as it was cheap.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Just read Red Tractor news that was delivered last week. I note that there is a phrase that says after consultation the new rules will be implemented in November 2021. I responded last week to the consultation, as a result of that phrase I am wondering if I wasted my time.
On the back page it claims some figures about 'primary shoppers' and projected shopping preferences . On the rare occasion that I use a supermarket I people watch and I would say that most shoppers barely look at labelling and just buy what they like and need , their objective is to feed themselves as cheaply as they can ,get round the shop as quickly as they can and get out of there. If RT conducted a survey in our local supermarkets I think the figures would be somewhat different . Where do the figures come from?, I wonder how many people actually know what RT means.

Unfortunately that seems to be how consultations work, state what you intend to happen, let everyone have their say then carry on as planned.
We ain’t going to see any of these replies where folk say they’ve told em straight how they feel they might disclose they have had X number of replies but I’ll lay odds on the vast majority won’t reply so statistically those who are against are a relatively small percentage of the total.

Unfortunately the only time they may take any notice is if their income drops which is why they are doing their best to make sure they’re in a position where we have little choice but to join

 

[sjt01]

Unfortunately that seems to be how consultations work, state what you intend to happen, let everyone have their say then carry on as planned.
We ain’t going to see any of these replies where folk say they’ve told em straight how they feel they might disclose they have had X number of replies but I’ll lay odds on the vast majority won’t reply so statistically those who are against are a relatively small percentage of the total.

Unfortunately the only time they may take any notice is if their income drops which is why they are doing their best to make sure they’re in a position where we have little choice but to join

This was my final point on the consultation

Documentation just creates resentment.

Cut out paperwork that can be totally fictitious, and policies and procedures that are shown to the assessor then filed away until the next assessment. The emphasis should be on the physical reality of the operation, not the paperwork. If businesses are going to cut corners, they are certainly not going to admit it in
paperwork.

 

[Clive]

Just read Red Tractor news that was delivered last week. I note that there is a phrase that says after consultation the new rules will be implemented in November 2021. I responded last week to the consultation, as a result of that phrase I am wondering if I wasted my time.
On the back page it claims some figures about 'primary shoppers' and projected shopping preferences . On the rare occasion that I use a supermarket I people watch and I would say that most shoppers barely look at labelling and just buy what they like and need , their objective is to feed themselves as cheaply as they can ,get round the shop as quickly as they can and get out of there. If RT conducted a survey in our local supermarkets I think the figures would be somewhat different . Where do the figures come from?, I wonder how many people actually know what RT means.

figures certainly don't come for the products I pay my membership for as they do not even carry the RT brand ........ ALL cereals growers are being sold a lie here

 

[Clive]

And lets stop calling this a Consultation ........ its an announcement that the rules are going to be added to and the costs are going to rise

I'm told re the costs that we are not taking a little but either, behind closed door they are taking significant extra cost apparently

 

[tullah]

I don’t think that you need to take the grain to France to prove that point

Take it to friendly RT registered neighbour if you can tip yours into his grain shed. He just had a high yield and you got nothing

 

[traineefarmer]

This was my final point on the consultation

Documentation just creates resentment.

Cut out paperwork that can be totally fictitious, and policies and procedures that are shown to the assessor then filed away until the next assessment. The emphasis should be on the physical reality of the operation, not the paperwork. If businesses are going to cut corners, they are certainly not going to admit it in
paperwork.

I find it interesting that there seems to be a united response to this consultation from members, without any form of collaboration on what our answers should be.

 

[DrWazzock]

Well my sprayer passed today. Half way through the test an old neighbour came in for some wheat for his chickens. I explained the wheat wouldn’t be red tractor assured unless the sprayer passes. “Eh?” , he said, “Wheat’s just wheat innit?.”

 

[lazy farmer]

Just read Red Tractor news that was delivered last week. I note that there is a phrase that says after consultation the new rules will be implemented in November 2021. I responded last week to the consultation, as a result of that phrase I am wondering if I wasted my time.
On the back page it claims some figures about 'primary shoppers' and projected shopping preferences . On the rare occasion that I use a supermarket I people watch and I would say that most shoppers barely look at labelling and just buy what they like and need , their objective is to feed themselves as cheaply as they can ,get round the shop as quickly as they can and get out of there. If RT conducted a survey in our local supermarkets I think the figures would be somewhat different . Where do the figures come from?, I wonder how many people actually know what RT means.

From doing the “little consultation” before going onto the sector specific one. The questions are structured in such a way as to get the answers they wanted. And I told them as much in my submission.

 

[traineefarmer]

I have just finished the RABI wellbeing survey - a very worthwhile thing, but there was only one question that directly related to the effects of regulation upon stress and mental health. To add some balance I put this in the "any other comments" box.

I would like to highlight the burden placed upon farmers by regulatory groups, particularly Red Tractor whose influence over a farm's viability has increased exponentially over the last decade. Such is their dominance of UK agriculture, membership of their schemes has become more of a "licence to farm" rather than quality assurance. The pressure they apply to farm businesses far exceed what is statutory by law and the penalties for non-compliance (ie, exclusion from the marketplace) are harsher than those applied by government agencies.

The pressure to conform and apply ever more stringent standards upon a farm where profitability is poor and the outlook is in flux through Brexit and changes to financial support schemes is pushing many to the edge.

 

[primmiemoo]

Which survey is this, please, @traineefarmer ?

 

[Chris F]

Which survey is this, please, @traineefarmer ?

It’s the RABI big farming survey. Has been mentioned a few times on here:

The Big Farming Survey | RABI

We’ve launched the biggest ever wellbeing research survey of the farming sector. Take part now and help to build a bigger picture of the impacts and pressures you and your farms face and how they impact daily life.

rabi.org.uk

 

[Worsall]

Quite frightening the Consultation Questions and Direction of travel, with weighted answers, omitting answers more pertinent.
I hope everyone has a go at doing the consultation, as often these consultations are only done by non-farmers!
Most questions I answered "strongly disagree", with comments pasted
"Self governance and better Government food labelling.
Remove all farm assurance schemes that do not offer increased market prices."

 

[Renaultman]

Just had my remote audit. All good

 

[redbaron]

How long did it take?

 

[Wooly]

Just had my remote audit. All good

Judas !!

 

[Sid]

Judas !!

I got mine in couple of weeks,
No pay tax, no market for milk

 

[Wooly]

I got mine in couple of weeks,
No pay tax, no market for milk

Judas 2 !!

Keep paying the protection racket and they will keep knocking on your door............


(I can see how fudged dairy farmers and the milk job is for RT though. Something needs to be done)