Following overwhelming support from the industry as a whole, Red Tractor has confirmed it will promote a new outdoor-centric module for pig production.
Respondents to the Food Assurance Scheme consultation provided clear support for recognition of outdoor production systems, such as outdoor-grown pigs finished with straw-based or free-range systems.
The majority of outdoor producers (57%) support the development of tiered standards and labeling for outdoor agriculture. In response, Red Tractors will proceed with most of the proposed standards, aiming to deploy them by the end of 2025.
The six-week consultation, which closed in June, collected 122 responses from a wide range of sections of the pig industry, including independent producers, retailers, veterinarians, integrators and NGOs.
The consultation also highlighted uncertainty regarding labeling of terms. In particular, it emphasizes whether the red tractor logo should indicate a production method that includes the term “outdoor breeding.”
In particular, 59% of respondents, including 72% of producers, felt that indoor systems like no indoor derailment were not part of the proposed strengthened welfare class.
Red Tractor said it will begin to explore additional labeling options that balance stakeholder views with consumer insights and existing branding frameworks.
The future of indoor pig production standards has proven to be more divisive. While 75% of producers did not report plans to invest in traditional wooden frames, about half have revealed that current removal equipment was over 20 years old, indicating the need for support in upgrading to compliant systems.
However, the views were mixed in the next step. The standard for 48% flexible feathers was published soon, but 42% preferred delays. Only 35% of all respondents, and only 28% of producers, supported the development of an indoor-focused “certification standards and” module.
As a result, work on this indoor-specific module has been suspended, but the red tractor continues to explore ways to support farms moving to alternative feather systems.
The consultation also covered changes to Red Tractor’s existing core standards aimed at better consistency with other schemes and reducing audit fatigue.
These proposals are generally well received, and constructive feedback ensures that the updated standards remain practical and clear. They will be implemented along with the new outdoor modules.
“We’re excited to be able to help you get the chance to get started,” said Stewart Houston, chairman of the Red Tractor Pigs Sector Board.
“The Red Tractor, which is built into feedback, moves forward with the industry’s demands to develop staged standards that reduce the need for compliance with multiple assurance schemes, reduce the audit burden and provide clearer labeling for outdoor breeding pig meat.
“We are also developing plans to support producers moving to these modules.
