The Farmers Weekly Podcast Red Tractor must avoid 'fudged' reform, bluetongue restriction havoc in Wales, Scottish beef at the Royal Highland Show, Farming Rules for Water, and more on skylarks at Cereals
Jun 21, 2025
Andrew Watts, a Hertfordshire grower and former NFU Combinable Crops chairman, shares his insights on vital reforms needed for the Red Tractor assurance scheme to restore farmer confidence. He discusses the challenges posed by bluetongue disease restrictions affecting livestock movement between England and Wales, highlighting the frustrations of farmers. Additionally, listeners get a peek into the Royal Highland Show, with important updates on competition and initiatives supporting young farmers, alongside the latest regulations on muck spreading and water management.
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Red Tractor Needs Meaningful Reform
- Andrew Watts highlights farmers' dissatisfaction with the slow pace of meaningful change at Red Tractor.
- He stresses that the same leadership is unlikely to restore growers' confidence without real reform.
Streamline Red Tractor Scheme
- Andrew Watts advises focusing Red Tractor on core crop production and safety rules, avoiding redundant regulations covered elsewhere.
- He recommends embracing earned recognition for statutory compliance to simplify the scheme for growers.
Assurance Can Boost Farm Value
- Assurance schemes could be strengthened by tying product labels to measurable sustainability traits, adding value.
- Farmers need assurance systems that serve as positive business assets and foster ownership across the supply chain.