Red Tractor consults introduction of tiered approach to pig standards  

Red Tractor is consulting on a modular approach to welfare standards for the pig sector – similar to the tiered model introduced for the poultry sector in 2020.  

The proposed system includes two new voluntary tiers, each with its own dedicated logo:  

• Enhanced Welfare: Pork from outdoor-bred or outdoor-reared pigs finished indoors, with more space and a solid, bedded lying area.  

• Free Range: Pork from pigs with continuous outdoor access.  

Some adjustments to the existing standards will be included in the consultation.  

Red Tractor said that these are required to ensure the equivalence with other assurance schemes that will deliver the reduced cost and complexity, and to ensure core standards reflect best practice.  

‘Clear, trusted guide for shoppers’

While the Red Tractor Pigs Technical Advisory Committee believes that many outdoor and indoor producers already operate at the proposed standards, the consultation is designed to establish precise views.   

The organisation explained that expanding the use of these tiers from poultry to pork aims to provide a clear, trusted guide for shoppers, reassuring them that Red Tractor-certified pork meets a range of high standards for welfare and distinguishing those that go beyond Red Tractor’s core standards of animal welfare.  

Stewart Houston, Red Tractor pigs chairman, commented:  “For pig producers, their commitment to animal welfare is at the heart of everything they do. The Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board believes the proposed labelling system would provide a clearer, simpler way for our members to communicate and differentiate their welfare standards.  

“It could also enhance consumers’ ability to make informed purchasing decisions by uniting existing tiers within the pork category under a suite of Red Tractor logos.  

“The development of the voluntary Enhanced Welfare and Free Range tiers for pork also demonstrates Red Tractor’s swift delivery against the Farm Assurance Review. The proposed system could remove the need for producers to juggle multiple assurance schemes, reducing audit burden and associated costs. Processors could also benefit from lower licence fees and simplified packaging by using a unified Red Tractor logo system.” 

Mr Houston added that Red Tractor is committed to engaging with as many pig members, processors, retailers, vets, and other stakeholders as possible to ensure Red Tractor assurance continues to deliver for them.  

“The Pigs Sector Board will only introduce the changes if there is majority support from the UK pig industry. I encourage everyone to share their views and help shape the future of UK pig farming,” he continued.  

Supporting industry’s transition

The Red Tractor team added that there is “growing momentum” within the UK pig sector towards flexible farrowing, with reduced confinement of sows compared to conventional farrowing crates.  

The sector is keen for this to be industry-led rather than legislated by government.  

Red Tractor is considering a new ‘Certified Standards Plus’ tier, with flexible farrowing as the key criteria. It is seeking views from the pig sector on whether such a tier would help support an industry-led transition to flexible farrowing to avoid conflicting retailer requirements and reduce business uncertainty.  

Mr Houston added: “This approach could demonstrate proactive welfare improvements and potentially reduce the need for heavy-handed legislation, while supporting producers in meeting evolving expectations.  

“While this tier is still under development and not expected to launch in the near future without further consideration, Red Tractor is looking for early input from producers to help shape the long-term development of this potential additional voluntary tier.”  

Red Tractor explained that its tiered labelling is grounded in extensive UK and international consumer research.  

A recent study involving over 3,000 UK shoppers demonstrated strong recognition and understanding of the proposed tiered logos, supported by Red Tractor’s position as the most trusted food assurance mark in the UK.  

The proposed logos ensure consistency of labelling across the pork and poultry protein categories, helping consumers navigate choices confidently and reducing confusion caused by overlapping farm assurance claims, the Red Tractor team concluded.

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