| AFS defends Red Tractor after Countryfile criticism In the feature, presenter John Craven compared Red Tractor standards unfavourably to those that underpin food labels run by RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme and organic certification body the Soil Association. Mr Clarke said, while there was 'no right or wrong choice' for shoppers, AFS's role was to ensure that all of the food produced on Red Tractor assured farms is 'produced to good standards of safety and welfare at a price most shoppers can afford'. AFS chief executive David Clarke responded by issuing a statement claiming Red Tractor's standards are 'globally recognised for their breadth' and incorporate food safety, food hygiene, animal welfare, environmental protection and perhaps full traceability from farm to pack. The Soil Association was pleased with the programme's report. "Equally we should not underestimate the fact that Red Tractor does make a measurable difference to to ensure that the legal requirements are followed. " He pointed to a 2009 study by the University of Warwick study which found that farms in Red Tractor scheme have a 'significantly better compliance with the legal requirement than those who are not certified'. As a recent study showed, standards would be significantly lower without the Red Tractor scheme. "The Red Tractor logo provides consumers with peace of mind that the products they're buying have been inspected to good standards," he said. In a blog on its website, Tim Young, editor of the association's Living Earth magazine, said: "Obviously I'm biased but I thought on balance it was pretty clear that If you would like the best animal welfare then seeking out the Soil Association label is definitely worthwhile," he wrote. Red Tractor assured farms account for 80-90 per cent of food produced in the UK. "Of course the Red Tractor standards include all of the points required by law but they also have a number of elements that go above the minimum legal requirements," he said. "In a time when we're all under financial strain – both 'consumers' like me and organic producers alike – it's worth being reminded just why organic is the gold standard for animal welfare. |
Tuesday 6 March 2012
AFS defends Red Tractor after Countryfile criticism
