During the consultation, producers will be asked to consider how the proposed revisions could operate in practice on farms. Vets, advisers and other industry stakeholders will also have the opportunity to assess whether the requirements are clear, practical and achievable.
The sector-specific Technical Advisory Committees, comprising farmers, veterinary professionals, processors, retailers and other representatives from across the food and farming supply chain, reviewed each audit point against an agreed set of criteria.
The recommendations were subsequently examined by the Beef & Lamb and Dairy Sector Boards before being considered by Red Tractor’s Standards Committee. Representatives from all the committees involved have now reached agreement on the proposals released for consultation.
For both assurance schemes, the main changes include a reduction in prescriptive audit points and a greater emphasis on farm-specific livestock health planning. This would include an annual assessment of individual farm health priorities, supported by an agreed action plan.
Red Tractor said that simplifying and reorganising the standards, while removing detail considered unnecessary, would cut requirements by approximately one third for Beef & Lamb and by one quarter for Dairy.
The Dairy proposals feature a new code of conduct covering animal care and handling, together with recommendations relating to cow comfort, environmental enrichment and competence in foot-trimming. Proposed Beef & Lamb changes include a limited number of additional requirements covering practical animal welfare and resilience, including extreme weather, feed safety, disease planning, nutrient management and housing.
According to Red Tractor, closer alignment between the Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards will substantially reduce duplicated requirements for farmers in England who hold assurance under both schemes.
Tim Lock, chair of the dairy sector board, stated: “The aim is to make the standards clearer and more practical.
“In most cases, what’s expected of farmers remains the same, but should make preparation for assessments and demonstrating compliance easier.
“Importantly, the proposed changes also ensure that standards continue to deliver confidence in the market. This is a genuine opportunity for farmers to help shape what comes next.”
John Dracup, chair of the Beef & Lamb Sector Board, said the review reflected Red Tractor’s aim of making assurance more practical: “We want to hear all points of view, but particularly those of farmers.
“No two farms are the same, so it’s important we hear from a range of farm businesses. If something is unclear, or there’s a more practical way of demonstrating compliance, we want to know.”
Responses will be assessed by the Beef & Lamb and Dairy Technical Advisory Committees and Sector Boards. These groups will review the feedback before deciding which recommendations should progress.
The consultation is open to all stakeholders from 22nd September until 3rd November 2026. Members of the Beef & Lamb and Dairy schemes can review the proposed amendments and submit their views via www.redtractor.org.uk/bld-consultation.
Further consultations on proposed updates to the Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet, Fresh Produce, Pigs and Poultry standards are expected to take place later this year.
