The Red Tractor ACCS referendum

[traineefarmer]

Agreed, I signed up as we were promised a "premium" but they quickly reneged on that and instead we are where we are now, getting market price for a load of rubbish and zero premium whatsoever but RT will gladly tell you it's a "Premium Product" when in fact it's nothing more than a scam

The premium myth comes from the early days of FA and supermarket schemes. For beef, at least the supermarkets and large processors were offering a deadweight premium for animals under a certain age, with a certain number of movements and where the farms subscribed to health and welfare agreements, subject to a yearly inspection. The ultimate successor to these schemes, RT, still believes that exists.

I'd be quite happy for a return to individual customer schemes, at least then if one got too onerous, you could jump to another.

 

[Henarar]

it's like a protection racket if you aren't registered we won't buy your product so pay up, we are about to have our annual revue the bloke said he is coming tomorrow and we are up to our neck in lambing and spring work also trying to do a claim with the welsh office for capital works done and the geo picks are not working so I am under pressure from all angles and this chap says he wants to see the pa one and two certs, not just the registration numbers where the f-- k they are I don't know I some times wonder why we do it just at the moment I am well pist off I seem to be working my balls off just to provide jobs for the boys

As above tell him you are to busy at the moment, make an appointment for a few weeks time if at all,
If folk stopped dancing quite so much to their tune it would at least be a start ? I know that's ok for me to say as a non RT member but still............

 

[Barleymow]

My stickers last till October so I assume I can delay the looming visit for a few months

 

[MrNoo]

My stickers last till October so I assume I can delay the looming visit for a few months

Mine expire in Oct also, inspection normally April but wont be having one this year, more to life than ticking boxes

 

[bumkin]

If we really must have red tractor why don't they make it simple and supply us with a computer program that we can fill in with all the relevant information that way we wouldn't have to search through piles of paper each time they ask for something it could be like a day to day diary so at the end of the day you could fill in the relevant information

 

[Two Tone]

My stickers last till October so I assume I can delay the looming visit for a few months

Mine expire in Oct also, inspection normally April but wont be having one this year, more to life than ticking boxes

My stickers expire November 21. The buggers will invoice me in October, so won’t send the next year’s stickers until we pay them (This is one organisation we definitely do not allow a Direct debit with!!).

They will try to test us in June. Last year it was September because I refused a “Virtual” assessment and told them that could not refuse continued assurance without good reason and if they couldn’t send a proper assessor, that was their problem.

I could try to move all my crops before the end of November and not renew our membership. Mush of it is in a Oct - Dec pool anyway.

But he is a point: THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PAYING RED TRACTOR BY DD, SHOULD RESCIND THAT DD IMMEDIATELY .

That will soon give them the message that you might now renew and make them think a bit.
I’m not sure if your bank will inform RT that the DD is rescinded or not.
However, when they come to want to call for that money, they will surely realise something is up
- or down in their case!

 

[steveR]

it's like a protection racket if you aren't registered we won't buy your product so pay up, we are about to have our annual revue the bloke said he is coming tomorrow and we are up to our neck in lambing and spring work also trying to do a claim with the welsh office for capital works done and the geo picks are not working so I am under pressure from all angles and this chap says he wants to see the pa one and two certs, not just the registration numbers where the f-- k they are I don't know I some times wonder why we do it just at the moment I am well pist off I seem to be working my balls off just to provide jobs for the boys

Tell him, No!

They are working for you.... Jim say's so....

 

[MrNoo]

If we really must have red tractor why don't they make it simple and supply us with a computer program that we can fill in with all the relevant information that way we wouldn't have to search through piles of paper each time they ask for something it could be like a day to day diary so at the end of the day you could fill in the relevant information

Sorry but why you’d want anything to do with RT is beyond me. It is clearly obvious that the organisation is not fit for purpose. Trust has been lost and to be fair would you buy a 2nd hand Reliant Robin off Dim Mosley?? Computer program or not they should have nothing further to do with British Agriculture.

 

[Clive]

If we really must have red tractor why don't they make it simple and supply us with a computer program that we can fill in with all the relevant information that way we wouldn't have to search through piles of paper each time they ask for something it could be like a day to day diary so at the end of the day you could fill in the relevant information

Ask a Russian or Canadian farmer how long his farm assurance takes and what it costs him ? ..................................... his wheat is going into the same mill as mine and ending up in the same bag of flour, loaf of bread etc

we need NONE of this - food safety and animal welfare standards are set by UK law - some of the highest standards in the world


There is no need for assurance whatsoever UNLESS it provides a premium (it certainly doesn't) let’s not lose sight of this!

 

[Two Tone]

I Have just watched the latest "Harry's Farm" on YouTube.

As always, it is very good. He refers to the Neonic ban and half of his OSR that is badly effected by CSFB.

I have added a comment to it referring to the real reasons why Neonic were banned, asking the question as to why and when Scientific Facts will outweigh Political Opinions,

I also asked a question as to why other Countries that can still use pesticides that are banned in the UK can Import grains into it that become "Red Tractor Assured" by the Grain Merchants?

My comment may not appear yet, but feel free to add more to this with your own comments.

 

[tullah]

Sorry but why you’d want anything to do with RT is beyond me. It is clearly obvious that the organisation is not fit for purpose. Trust has been lost and to be fair would you buy a 2nd hand Reliant Robin off Dim Mosley?? Computer program or not they should have nothing further to do with British Agriculture.

I'll never do business with anybody whose been on the make with RT. When they fold these people will disperse to various agricultural businesses. What will be missing on their cv is any history with RT. The Chinese now hide made in China amongst the small print.

 

[colhonk]

DO NOT under any circumstances let them test you early. The barstuarts STOLE 7 months off me over the years, when i queried this they said tough, my fault for letting them get away with it. This is the sort of organisation you are dealing with.

 

[Drillman]

DO NOT under any circumstances let them test you early. The barstuarts STOLE 7 months off me over the years, when i queried this they said tough, my fault for letting them get away with it. This is the sort of organisation you are dealing with.

Never ever let them rock up for an inspection unless you have time to deal with them, they don’t have power of entry. I’ve said no or cancelled there visit on more than one occasion if I don’t have time to deal with them. They also get told what time I expect them to be there. One bloke wanted to come in middle of drilling at 10am I told him it was 7 am or forget it. He grumbled it was way overdue at which point he was told we’ll get your act together as leaving things till there overdue isn’t my problem. He was in yard at 7am and gave me no bother......




As for unannounced inspections, there no such thing. Any RT inspector who even suggests they can turn up and start nosing about with out warning leaves themselves wide open for a police trespass and HSE safety prosecution.

they don’t like it when you challenge them on this subject either if they bring it up.

 

[steveR]

I Have just watched the latest "Harry's Farm" on YouTube.

As always, it is very good. He refers to the Neonic ban and half of his OSR that is badly effected by CSFB.

I have added a comment to it referring to the real reasons why Neonic were banned, asking the question as to why and when Scientific Facts will outweigh Political Opinions,

I also asked a question as to why other Countries that can still use pesticides that are banned in the UK can Import grains into it that become "Red Tractor Assured" by the Grain Merchants?

My comment may not appear yet, but feel free to add more to this with your own comments.

Lots of comments about the point you make regarding Imports grown to different standards which I found heartening, "Greenwashing" is an expression I had seen before, but not in a forum like YT

 

[Flat 10]

it's like a protection racket if you aren't registered we won't buy your product so pay up, we are about to have our annual revue the bloke said he is coming tomorrow and we are up to our neck in lambing and spring work also trying to do a claim with the welsh office for capital works done and the geo picks are not working so I am under pressure from all angles and this chap says he wants to see the pa one and two certs, not just the registration numbers where the f-- k they are I don't know I some times wonder why we do it just at the moment I am well pist off I seem to be working my balls off just to provide jobs for the boys

Surely they never see the certs? I’m sure they can check on line with city and guilds. Tell him to jog on

 

[bumkin]

Surely they never see the certs? I’m sure they can check on line with city and guilds. Tell him to jog on

I kept out of the way, apparently he was very thorough wanted to see everything only one fault a small length of barge board a branch had pulled off in the gales, and a couple of recommendations

 

[two-cylinder]

Anyone else read the latest Red tractor newsletter received today?

 

[Flat 10]

Anyone else read the latest Red tractor newsletter received today?

It enraged me

 

[texelburger]

It enraged me

Me too

 

[Old apprentice]

I have not received one yet give a clue what has been printed in this.