Red Tractor has announced the introduction of new modules for outdoor pig production as well as food labelling that reflects those practices, which will come into place by the end of 2025.
The move follows a six-week consultation period within the pig industry regarding improved welfare modules for outdoor and indoor pig farming.
On the back of growing consumer demand for transparency, Red Tractor ran the consultation from April 28 to June 6 of this year, with respondents representing 90% of the British sow herd.
Red Tractor confirmed that over half of outdoor pig producers agreed with the introduction of tiered standards and food labelling.
The response prompted the new standards which will aim to provide pig farmers with the opportunity to reduce the burden of compliance with multiple assurance schemes.
The new module will fall under the existing Red Tractor assurance scheme and will be designed specifically for outdoor pig farmers.
Consultation
Responses from the consultation indicated that the proposed Enhanced Welfare tier should not include indoor systems such as indoor free farrowing, persuading Red Tractor to explore further labelling options.
The consultation also highlighted the need for investment in future systems as 75% of producers said they are not planning to install new or second-hand conventional crates.
Half of these respondents indicated that their farrowing equipment is over 20 years old.
The Pigs Sector Board paused work on an indoor-focused module following this consultation as only 35% of respondents supported developing an indoor-focused ‘Certified Standards Plus’ module.
Red Tractor stated that 48% of producers said standards for flexible farrowing should be published straight away while 42% told them to wait.
Red Tractor chair of pigs sector board, Stewart Houston said: “This consultation has provided a powerful snapshot of the supply chain’s views towards tiered labelling in pig production, from the people who matter.”
Houston confirmed that the standards will reduce the need for compliance to multiple assurance schemes, reduce audit burden and provide clearer labelling of outdoor bred pig meat.
The chair of the pigs sector board added: “We’re also developing plans to support producers with transitioning to these modules, where they wish to.”
