Pig producers urged to respond to Red Tractor consultation on standards before March 5

The pork and bacon committee are greatly concerned that several of the suggestions will create seismic changes for a large majority of its pig producers.

The proposals outline several additional requirements relating to the management of staff, the need for all farmers to complete online training on how to handle pigs correctly regardless of their experience and an increase of record-keeping.

The UFU met with Red Tractor to outline its concerns.

It feels a number of suggestions that have been put forward are unnecessary, and in some ways, overbearing.

While the UFU have great appreciation for Red Tractor and the work that they do regulating on-farm standards in the areas of food safety, animal welfare and the environment to ensure the UK’s world leading standards are maintained, the proposed standards are not realistic.

The proposals are due to come into effect in November 2021 after a period of consultation and it’s vital that pig producers in Northern Ireland make their voices heard for the sake of their farm business.

This can be done by visiting the following link, https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/red-tractor-review-2021.