The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) have revealed the next steps in their jointly run farm to fork assurance independent review, which the bodies said will “seek to capture views across the whole industry”.

The review will observe:

• How farm assurance can deliver value back to scheme members
• How standards are developed to meet the evolving needs of members, the markets they serve, sector diversity and in appreciation of the global marketplace
• How assurance members are engaged with (including the development of standards), inspected and how technology is used in assurance now and in future

• How assurance schemes can and should fit with regulation and Government schemes to best serve members.

Nicholas Saphir, AHDB chair, said: “We are consistent in stating that it is vital that the reputation of levy payers’ produce is maintained by assurance and where relevant, audits, to underpin the work we do on behalf of the industry in regard to promotion in the home and export markets.

“This independent evidence based review will allow us all to understand and address the future needs and opportunities that assurance has to play for the successful future of our industry.”

Both the NFU and AHDB agreed that, as it is almost 25 years since the creation of Red Tractor, there is a “need to step back and ask some fundamental questions” about all farm assurance schemes to ensure the needs of farmers are met. 

NFU president Minette Batters said: “The world is very different to the way it was when farm assurance schemes started in the UK some 25 years ago, not least thanks to huge changes in the way food is produced, coupled with increased interest from consumers about where their food comes from.

“It’s time for change. Farmers and growers don’t feel that many schemes currently work for them. This review will see us go back to basics to look at the future of assurance and I would encourage the entire industry to positively engage with it.

“Food safety, branding, provenance, differing sector needs and sustainability are just some areas that farm assurance is trying to address. It is right to ask how these areas can be delivered without giving away value from the farm gate.”

The next steps of the review reportedly include appointing an independent commission to oversee the review and “ensure full transparency” and the opportunity for farmers and industry to have their say.