UK: Red Tractor Assurance changes
A series of changes is being introduced by Red Tractor assurance from April 1 this year.
The four main elements are:
• Assessments need to focus more on the health and welfare of pigs on farm
• Standards need to require practical training on animal welfare skills for staff handling livestock and the inclusion of a method for monitoring and managing the on-going competence of those employees
• The methods used for euthanasia of sick and fallen stock need updating
• Short-notice or no notice inspections need to be introduced
The date of one of the meeting organised to give producers the chance find out more about the changes to Red Tractor assurance, has had to be changed.
The original date for the meeting at Diss Rugby Club on February 20, clashed with Essex Pig Discussion Group.
The plan is for the meetings to include brief contributions from BPEX, the NPA and Red Tractor and experiences for vet and producers who have already piloted welfare assessments. However, the majority of the meeting will be devoted to discussion and debate on the changes, which comes into effect on April 1.
The finalised dates are as follows, but more information will be available in due course:
• Tuesday, 19 February – Newbury Rugby Club.
• Thursday, 21 February – Sandburn Hall, Flaxton, York.
• Tuesday, 26 February – Exeter Race Course.
• Tuesday, 5 March – Park Hall, Worcestershire.
• Thursday, 14 March – Diss Rugby Club.
The meetings will start with something to eat at 6pm and will finish no later than 9pm. Attendance is free though anybody wishing to attend is asked to register to allow numbers to be given for catering. To register, please contact Clancy Smith on 02476 478792 or by email, clancy.smith@bpex.ahdb.org.uk
As part of the changes, roadshows are being held across the country to which producers are being invited to allow a debate on the subject as well as to explain in detail what is happening. The changes have all come about as a result of requests from the industry itself, after a welfare summit was held in the Spring of last year. Details of the changes can be found on the Red Tractor newsletter. Click here for more info.
