The Red Tractor ACCS referendum

[Humble Village Farmer]

I sure this has been brought up but just joined TFF after hearing you are taking on RT. What can a simple livestock farmer do to help as I am sick of seeing RT on meat imported from other countries with lower livestock standards

You are just the man to get on to your feed supplier and ask for non assured feed for your non assured stock. (He won't know unless you tell him)

As red tractor is so much better quality we keep being told, the non assured should be cheaper.

We need to do away with the illusion that there is no alternative. Non assured feed should be cheaper, even though it would be exactly the same quality. It won't be cheaper though will it? This is because,as we know red tractor doesn't add value.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Andrew Blenkiron's letter in this week's FW was fairly blunt...

I've sent a blunt one back. I don't think it will get published but I was polite but I was bang on target

 

[SilliamWhale]

My over riding thoughts on this whole q and a, is that Jim Mosley needs to go ASAP. He is obviously full of hubris and cannot recognise criticism.

I can't watch it as I'm not an NFU member. Fair enough but as a non member I don't see why Mr Mosely can't do the fireside chat for non members as well ,we still fund the scheme.

I still believe the only way this crap will get more efficient and more realistic is to find out if it breaking competition law to refuse to accept non assured produce yet accepting imports non assured.

 

[ploughman1963]

I just dont know where they get their figures to say that red ractor is poplular with end users. I did a straw poll on facebook and whilst limited replies, majority said they either buy locally at their butcher or look for a union Jack or check that is of british origin. One person said they actively look for red tractor logo.

 

[Steevo]

I just dont know where they get their figures to say that red ractor is poplular with end users. I did a straw poll on facebook and whilst limited replies, majority said they either buy locally at their butcher or look for a union Jack or check that is of british origin. One person said they actively look for red tractor logo.

You can say anything if you don't have to substantiate it or have any competition.

 

[tullah]

I just dont know where they get their figures to say that red ractor is poplular with end users. I did a straw poll on facebook and whilst limited replies, majority said they either buy locally at their butcher or look for a union Jack or check that is of british origin. One person said they actively look for red tractor logo.

We are the opposite. We avoid the corrupt and those that persecute.
We won't buy it if it's got an RT label and likewise try not to come home with Chinese.

 

[Worsall]

NFU Online Consultation was a predictable waste of time. Jim Mosely preaching on about how standards have to be best in the world to keep our market share, and Christine Tacon pretty quiet but talking about how she hasn't been in Agriculture for a long time, we are lucky we don't get inspected more and cost more, but wants to be fair? Farmer Stuart Roberts was sending very mixed messages, which I understood to mean, yes it will be tough, yes it won't be fair, and yes RT and NFU will have our way! All the audiences questions were monitored and shown on the side panel, with the Chair choosing a couple to ask the speakers. Most questions or comments were against any raising of standards, many voicing contempt for the whole scheme, and considering only 3 out of my six questions didn't even reach the side panel, I presume many were vetted. Great engagement NFU....not.

 

[texelburger]

I just dont know where they get their figures to say that red ractor is poplular with end users. I did a straw poll on facebook and whilst limited replies, majority said they either buy locally at their butcher or look for a union Jack or check that is of british origin. One person said they actively look for red tractor logo.

I did my own unscientific poll,locally,and no one looked for RT although a couple knew about it.I just don't believe the RT figures, period.Maybe the questions asked were highly skewed to get the answer you want.
ie "RT has a logo on packaged food that shows it has been produced to a certain standard,have you ever heard of it ?"

 

[ploughman1963]

Here is how I worded my very unscientific poll.

"Does anyone look for the red tractor logo on food packaging when you are shopping?
Does it influence your buying? What products have you seen it on? Do you know what it means?"

 

[spin cycle]

Dear Mr spin,

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to the spirited debate taking place on the future of Red Tractor. My colleague Philip Clarke (copied in), who looks after the letters and opinion section, will take your letter into consideration for publication in this week’s magazine.

You are absolutely correct to point out that we should have acknowledged Mr Blenkiron’s role. I am very pleased that Farmers Weekly is giving people on both sides of the debate a platform to air their views. Our mission is to do all we can to set the facts out in as fair and accurate way as possible and leave readers to make an informed decision. I hope you agree with me that we are broadly succeeding in this.

Kind regards,

Andrew Meredith
Editor

 

[Clive]

NFU Online Consultation was a predictable waste of time. Jim Mosely preaching on about how standards have to be best in the world to keep our market share, and Christine Tacon pretty quiet but talking about how she hasn't been in Agriculture for a long time, we are lucky we don't get inspected more and cost more, but wants to be fair? Farmer Stuart Roberts was sending very mixed messages, which I understood to mean, yes it will be tough, yes it won't be fair, and yes RT and NFU will have our way! All the audiences questions were monitored and shown on the side panel, with the Chair choosing a couple to ask the speakers. Most questions or comments were against any raising of standards, many voicing contempt for the whole scheme, and considering only 3 out of my six questions didn't even reach the side panel, I presume many were vetted. Great engagement NFU....not.

"apparently" there was lots of talk about what the processor/retailer wants and not a lot of consideration of what farmers want ? It's clear who Jim works for

Seems to be an almost universal acknowledgment that ACCS is not working and disadvantages UK farmers but the solutions (ie we will make everyone else produce to the same standard or force mills to buy RT cereals only ) is beyond unrealistic and NOT a solution ............ I don't think they have any plans to provide a scheme that simply matches import standards accepted

 

[Clive]

Dear Mr spin,

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to the spirited debate taking place on the future of Red Tractor. My colleague Philip Clarke (copied in), who looks after the letters and opinion section, will take your letter into consideration for publication in this week’s magazine.

You are absolutely correct to point out that we should have acknowledged Mr Blenkiron’s role. I am very pleased that Farmers Weekly is giving people on both sides of the debate a platform to air their views. Our mission is to do all we can to set the facts out in as fair and accurate way as possible and leave readers to make an informed decision. I hope you agree with me that we are broadly succeeding in this.

Kind regards,

Andrew Meredith
Editor

Good independent media publishes correction when they acknowledge a mistake, lets see what they write about that next week, maybe they print your letter

 

[Clive]

I can't watch it as I'm not an NFU member. Fair enough but as a non member I don't see why Mr Mosely can't do the fireside chat for non members as well ,we still fund the scheme.

I still believe the only way this crap will get more efficient and more realistic is to find out if it breaking competition law to refuse to accept non assured produce yet accepting imports non assured.

I have invited Jim Mosley to do a similar Q&A here a few weeks ago (no answer) I extended that invitation to Christine Tacon today and await responce

 

[Steevo]

Good independent media publishes correction when they acknowledge a mistake, lets see what they write about that next week, maybe they print your letter

The FW readership numbers will be going up and up each week.....everyone wanting to read the latest instalment in the unfolding drama series!

 

[Richard Budd]

I have invited Jim Mosley to do a similar Q&A here a few weeks ago (no answer) I extended that invitation to Christine Tacon today and await responce

I would hope you may have some joy with Christine Tacon as she was very good at engaging with grower groups in the fresh produce sector whilst she was Grocery Adjudicator.

 

[Mark Hatton]

"apparently" there was lots of talk about what the processor/retailer wants and not a lot of consideration of what farmers want ? It's clear who Jim works for

Seems to be almost universal acknowledgment that ACCS is not working and disadvantages UK farmers but the solutions (ie we will make everyone else produce to the same standard or force mills to not buy none RT cereals) is beyond unrealistic and NOT a solution ............ I don't think they have any plans to provide a scheme that simple matches import standards accepted

Does the processor/Retailer want it or is it being imposed on them by RT? Its quite clear consumers don't buy based on the RT logo, the majority have little or no idea about RT, its become increasingly apparent that the only benefit that RT delivers is..well....directly back to Red Tractor!

 

[tullah]

Does the processor/Retailer want it or is it being imposed on them by RT? Its quite clear consumers don't buy based on the RT logo, the majority have little or no idea about RT, its become increasingly apparent that the only benefit that RT delivers is..well....directly back to Red Tractor!

Mark, yes in a nutshell.

 

[Richard Budd]

Does the processor/Retailer want it or is it being imposed on them by RT? Its quite clear consumers don't buy based on the RT logo, the majority have little or no idea about RT, its become increasingly apparent that the only benefit that RT delivers is..well....directly back to Red Tractor!

This is the perpetual lie that keeps getting pedalled, yet major multiples like Sainsburys dropped RT from their branded packaging in 2012, for two reasons; 1. It was adding nothing to their sales - the union jack was more effective; 2. They did not want their producers to have to pay the Red Tractor 'Tax' on packaging, in order to reduce costs in the supply chain.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Does the processor/Retailer want it or is it being imposed on them by RT? Its quite clear consumers don't buy based on the RT logo, the majority have little or no idea about RT, its become increasingly apparent that the only benefit that RT delivers is..well....directly back to Red Tractor!

I strongly suspect its

"hi Mr Miller, Red Tractor here, would you like us to invent some more standards, no no it won't cost you a penny we can pass that cost to the producer on but it will maybe allow you to feel more warm and fuzzy and may even cover your arse. Totally free for you and I'm sure you can see how important we are for your business, we've saved agriculture you know, before us everyone died of BSE. Toodlepip"

 

[Brisel]

"apparently" there was lots of talk about what the processor/retailer wants and not a lot of consideration of what farmers want ? It's clear who Jim works for

Seems to be almost universal acknowledgment that ACCS is not working and disadvantages UK farmers but the solutions (ie we will make everyone else produce to the same standard or force mills to not buy none RT cereals) is beyond unrealistic and NOT a solution ............ I don't think they have any plans to provide a scheme that simple matches import standards accepted

I've been trying to find out exactly who pays what to RT. The sector payments are on the RT website but I'm trying to find out the facts behind farmers only funding "half of RT." Any ideas where this is published, anyone?

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