Scrapping farm assurance

teslacoils

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
" We now pay £millions to have someone ask us if we are behaving"

Crazy. Roll on the BFU to rid us of this pest.

The idea of a premium scheme rewarding those who choose to use it with an increased price is a good one.

The idea of a de facto compulsory scheme which gives no premium but simply allows access to markets that others get to use with a simple declaration that we are deemed unable to use by the "industry" is a terrible one.
 
You'd struggle to find a milk buyer even if they are shorr
As an individual producer your milk volume is insignificant however if a double digit percentage of producers were to declare themselves out of FA at the moment I’m sure a buyer/buyers would step forwards.
But I don’t see that happening in dairy when probably well in excess of half of producers are signed up to some sort of voluntary extra auditing over and above RT
 

teslacoils

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
As an individual producer your milk volume is insignificant however if a double digit percentage of producers were to declare themselves out of FA at the moment I’m sure a buyer/buyers would step forwards.
But I don’t see that happening in dairy when probably well in excess of half of producers are signed up to some sort of voluntary extra auditing over and above RT
If the buyer was owned as a coop then you could decide not to.....
 

D14

Member
I know I'm stating the obvious for most of you but;

RT is simply a way of making us pay for what the buyers used to do.
It has shifted expense and responsibility to the farmer.
Buyers/ markets were always responsible in ensuring the standards and welfare of what we were selling, it was part of their job. We now pay £millions to have someone ask us if we are behaving.

Well done for cutting out this unnecessary crap.

Worst than that is that assurance was the NFU's idea. Any other industry where the union actively goes against the members? Its just crazy to think the NFU have done this to the industry they are supposed to act for.
 

Humble Village Farmer

Member
BASE UK Member
Location
Essex
Probably best to avoid running up unnecessary expense by not cancelling before he comes.

What I would definitely do though, is cancel the direct debit and pay by cheque so you are in control of your money and not allowing them to take what they want.
 

Jackov Altraids

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
Probably best to avoid running up unnecessary expense by not cancelling before he comes.

What I would definitely do though, is cancel the direct debit and pay by cheque so you are in control of your money and not allowing them to take what they want.

He's not cancelling anything though. He has decided a part will not be renewed.
He has paid to be RT for arable and beef. This visit is covered by that cost.
IF there is something that is a non-conformance for beef, it will not matter if he chooses to not address it.

Unless it would compromise his arable status. ?

In that case it might be better to advise that the beef inspection is not required beforehand.
 

Drillman

Member
Mixed Farmer
No as it’s not renewal time for another month I’ve decided to let the “visit” run! but will make a call to the inspection agency afterwards and before renewal date, regardless of wether we pass or not to inform them that the beef side won’t be renewed.

I don’t think that’s unreasonable on my part.
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Most of the Ukrainian milling wheat that flies into our mills but then you already know that being an NFU bod who’s organisation burdened us farmers with this nonsense
Care homes, anyone fabricating sheds, NHS,take aways, cafes, restaurants etc are all inspected.
Even you cars are inspected annually to make sure they are safe , by a garage that is audited and inspected.

The list is endless of those that are assured or inspected.

Ask your MP why they allow imported foods that may not be produced to our legal standards.
I personally think RT isn't doing the industry any favours especially when animals can magically become assured after 90 days on a farm.
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Yes the warranty scheme is covered by UK legislation and UK law.

However they do not also have a Let’s call it “red car” scheme gold plating uk Law and Legislation
They also have their own in house quality and assurance scheme to make sure the customers car is made to a standard
 
I know I'm stating the obvious for most of you but;

RT is simply a way of making us pay for what the buyers used to do.
It has shifted expense and responsibility to the farmer.
Buyers/ markets were always responsible in ensuring the standards and welfare of what we were selling, it was part of their job. We now pay £millions to have someone ask us if we are behaving.

Well done for cutting out this unnecessary crap.

But even more worrying the ultimate owner of Red Tractor is Intertek. They are PLC who have no interest in anything but growing their own business. We have been sold down the river and we will get further down it unless we act. The marketplace in grain should not be dominated by one companies stranglehold - the 22 carat mute idiots in the NFU should be ashamed of themselves.

Are there any industries that don't have an assurance or certification scheme.

Yes imported grain for starters has no "scheme". Lots of independent business don't do it because quality is not decision from a multinational company.
 
Care homes, anyone fabricating sheds, NHS,take aways, cafes, restaurants etc are all inspected.
Even you cars are inspected annually to make sure they are safe , by a garage that is audited and inspected.

The list is endless of those that are assured or inspected.

Ask your MP why they allow imported foods that may not be produced to our legal standards.
I personally think RT isn't doing the industry any favours especially when animals can magically become assured after 90 days on a farm.

Care Homes have a Care Quality Comission (a regulator)
Building Regulations are again subject to regulation and British Standards
I think food business are also subject to regulation (food safety, hygiene) - in fact farms are covered by some of this regulation too without us complaining.

I don't think I need to point out to you what you are missing...
 

Tamar

Member
The irony is this , if it's in short supply they don't give a dam about Assurance schemes, 😡

Did the consumer give a damn when there was plenty ??.... No, they buy on price.

Our auctioneers have told us that there is no difference in price anymore betwwen FA and non FA. They are so short of beef that even the badly bred cattle are being sought after.



Ditch the RT........pass it on.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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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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