How to Become a Red Tractor Farm Assurance Scheme Member

Red Tractor Farm Assurance is open to all commercial producers. The rules and procedures for specific commodity sectors are detailed in the relevant Scheme Standards Manual – go to the ‘Scheme Documents’ section.

There are 4 main steps to joining a Red Tractor Farm Assurance Scheme.

1. Choose a Certification Body
Details of the Certification Bodies available can be found in the relevant ‘Scheme Contacts’ section. If you are interested in becoming a Red Tractor Assured farmer, upon request, they will send you an application pack. You can request a pack online.

Note: If you already have other assured enterprises, then discounts may be available if you use the same Certification Body.

2. Join a Certification Body
Once you have read the Scheme Standards Manual, send your application form and payment to your chosen Certification Body. 
Red Tractor Farm Assurance schemes endeavour to provide as much support as possible and offer:
• Worked examples of all records
• Blank templates for all records 
• Clear indication where a record is required for a standard

3.  Get an assessment
This will be arranged by your Certification Body and will be at a convenient time for you. Note: If at the assessment there are certain criteria that are not fulfilled, there is a procedure for producers to follow. This usually involves providing documentary evidence to demonstrate shortfalls have been rectified but may involve a re-assessment.

4. Become Certified
On meeting the requirements of the Red Tractor Farm Assurance scheme standards you will receive official certification and can sell your production as assured. Membership is for one year and must be renewed annually if you wish to continue to sell product as assured.
Whilst you are a certified member, you will receive a routine assessment at least once every 12 months. Note that for livestock, this will be every 18 months to ensure your farm is assessed in different seasons. Some members will be subject to spot checks which are generally picked at random or because a complaint or breach of legislation has come to the Certification Body’s attention.