The Red Tractor ACCS referendum

[SilliamWhale]

Hmmm yes add the inspection cost into the equation as well and it looks even worse value for money.....

Maybe not even including the extra "marketing" cost either

 

[Drillman]

Maybe not even including the extra "marketing" cost either

I still haven’t a clue what there trying to market!

Marketing to me is to promote something to make sales to make income

so if RT are marketing the brand that we fund where’s our dividend from increased sales?

 

[tullah]

I still haven’t a clue what there trying to market!

Marketing to me is to promote something to make sales to make income

so if RT are marketing the brand that we fund where’s our dividend from increased sales?

It actually costs more to produce an RT tonne than the extra it sells for over and above an equal to imports one.
Those in doubt should do the figures then ditch it. As last resort I'm sure there's a friendly RT farmer nearby who would be happy to market the milling wheat or malting barley.

 

[texelburger]

Can the NFU ignore it though....? Will Ag customers dropping off the NFUM balance sheet be a concern?

Probably not as it appears they have a plethora of non farmer members such as corporate, supermarkets and part time,hobby farmers who fancy a little discount on their new pick up.They're a little like Countryfile which has also become a little detached from proper farming in recent years.
Perhaps they should be called "The Countryfile Union" .

 

[Drillman]

It actually costs more to produce an RT tonne than the extra it sells for over and above an equal to imports one.
Those in doubt should do the figures then ditch it. As last resort I'm sure there's a friendly RT farmer nearby who would be happy to market the milling wheat or malting barley.

Oh I’m in no doubt that the cost out weighs the benefit (benefit is the wrong word as there isn’t one) but trouble is as has been proven the majority of mills won’t take non assured So we’re stuck with the competitive disadvantage that is called RT.

 

[tullah]

Just stuck with it today. But I'm selling November and cancelling membership then use the shed for a better return than looking for mouse dirts and ticking boxes.

 

[Pigless]

Oh I’m in no doubt that the cost out weighs the benefit (benefit is the wrong word as there isn’t one) but trouble is as has been proven the majority of mills won’t take non assured So we’re stuck with the competitive disadvantage that is called RT.

We need a feed mill to buy non red tractor, the big corporates are not going to change, it's not to their advantage. What about member owned mills such as mole valley farmers? Surely they would be more likely to break from AIC rules.

 

[traineefarmer]

I refused to say when i washed the grain bucket or trailer, when asked I pointed out to the inspector they walked past it in the shed and could see it was clean so write down what you like.

Stick it in the farm policy document.

Global rule: 7-part (b), subheading 15[c].
The grain bucket is washed, disinfected and dried twice daily at 0830hrs and 1630hrs regardless whether it has been used or not. Staff not adhering to this rule will face a disciplinary review (documented).

 

[db9go]

Can the NFU ignore it though....? Will Ag customers dropping off the NFUM balance sheet be a concern?

NO

 

[steveR]

NO

But might be to the Group reps....

 

[db9go]

But might be to the Group reps....

That is different as i know mine was not happy when i sent my email to leave

 

[steveR]

That is different as i know mine was not happy when i sent my email to leave

Not mine...

 

[Raggy]

Red Tractor has never resulted in a premium being paid to any farmer. All it has done (with the unfortunate powers it has) is financially punish those who choose not to join up, and charge hundreds of pounds for those who do join, just to simply continue getting standard market prices. Never premiums! It's not that much different to a ransom demand. Pay up and you can stay as you are. Don't pay and you'll be punished. I've had my inspection this week, and couldn't believe some of the utter rubbish that I was asked to show.

 

[Teejay]

Just watched the managers in the local supermarket moving all the Easter eggs and replacing them with pesticides. Still they are on nice wipe clean shelves and probably protected from frost.

 

[An Gof]

Red Tractor has never resulted in a premium being paid to any farmer. All it has done (with the unfortunate powers it has) is financially punish those who choose not to join up, and charge hundreds of pounds for those who do join, just to simply continue getting standard market prices. Never premiums! It's not that much different to a ransom demand. Pay up and you can stay as you are. Don't pay and you'll be punished. I've had my inspection this week, and couldn't believe some of the utter rubbish that I was asked to show.

That is an excellent summary and analogy the best that I have read here so far. You have encapsulated everything that is wrong with RT.

 

[WOODCHIP]

Any updates on challenging Red Tractor seems to have gone quiet.

 

[nick...]

I suspect as much as we all despise it we will continue to get phucked over
nick...

 

[tullah]

Any updates on challenging Red Tractor seems to have gone quiet.

Probably because lots been covered here and now instead of writing to the converted they are writing to NFU and mills etc. putting the ball squarely in their courts.

 

[dairyrow]

Tried twice with my NFU. They haven't bothered to reply. Even been asked in arla area meetings. They aren't even willing to drop it atm because it's a one and half year inspection. Court ain't for turning. But have read up on it and I'm utterly amazed a scheme NFU has developed and pee'd off from. Is so out of control with no recourse. Didn't realise they charge firms 0.001% of the price of products with red tractor on for advertising. Surely that's quite a big advertising fund?

 

[Still Farming]

Countryfile on BBC Now raises questions on RT and Hospitals etc and food procurement standards allegedly???