Background

Red Tractor, the key UK agricultural assurance scheme is planning to introduce a new environment module, the Greener Farms Commitment (GFC), as an optional add on to the current scheme. It would cover farmers’ actions on water, waste, biodiversity and soil management. The aim is to give further assurance and potentially data from farms on environmental performance and help retailers as they report against supply chain commitments on nature and biodiversity including the Taskforce on Nature Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). We have worked with Red Tractor and spoken to the NFU to make the scheme available. Below is an update from Red Tractor confirming launch of GFC in April 2024.

Latest Update from Red Tractor

The Red Tractor GFC module was considered by the AFS Board on 29th September.  Firstly thank you to the BRC and those members who supplied individual supporting statements. This emphasised the full extent of the customer support for the module, and helped the Board recognise the market demand for the GFC, and the benefits that it brings as a common industry approach. There was a detailed discussion where the opinions of all stakeholders were clearly considered. All supported the final decisions and next steps as follows :

  1. Agreed to make the GFC module available across all sectors from 1 April 2024;
  2. Agreed the establishment of a Development Advisory Panel (DAP) which will advise on the immediate and future technical development of the GFC;

The DAP will report to Red Tractor’s Standards Committee. We are working on the detailed composition of the DAP, which will include representation from our existing sector structure including Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and will be balanced so it represents all stages in the supply chain.

The Board agreed that the Sector Boards and TAC should be the first to be informed of the decisions so we held a Sector Boards & TACs briefing after the Board meeting.

The Board also agreed that the Sector Boards and TACs should be given an opportunity to provide their technical feedback on the content and operational plans. Therefore, to finalise the content ASAP we have agreed the following timetable for next steps: -

  • w/c 16th October – RT Sector TACs meet to provide feedback
  • w/c 30th October & 6th November – RT Sector Board meetings
  • w/c 13th November – DAP to meet and make recommendations on final content to Standards Committee
  • 24th November 2023 – AFS Board to review progress

Please note the 1 April 2024 date can be communicated to your colleagues and suppliers. We recognise the need to publish the final content as soon as possible to help preparation for those who wish to utilise the module. We are aiming for this to be available before Christmas.