Read on Twitter
Fact for the day: imported grain must not be contaminated, and must pass a DON test.
Beyond this, there is no assurance. There is no traceability. There are no production standards.
Why then is it freely mixed with @RedTractorFood grain that we have to produce?
Beyond this, there is no assurance. There is no traceability. There are no production standards.
Why then is it freely mixed with @RedTractorFood grain that we have to produce?
I may have a few differences with @TWBFarms , but he is entirely right about RT.
To suggest it is a brand that commands a premium is totally, demonstrably, and laughably false. There are ZERO examples of this on any shelf, in any shop.
To suggest it is a brand that commands a premium is totally, demonstrably, and laughably false. There are ZERO examples of this on any shelf, in any shop.
All you have to do is compare the price of imported wheat, of unknown (and unknowable) origin, with our 'top class' RT produced equivalent.
They are the same price. There is no difference.
Anyone arguing that RT gives farmers access to a premium market is delusional.
They are the same price. There is no difference.
Anyone arguing that RT gives farmers access to a premium market is delusional.
And it's not just cereals. I do understand that the Pork sector is a fan of RT, as they do get a premium for RT assurance. Brilliant - this is how things should work.
But turning an unassured cow into an assured one by the simple act of spending 8 weeks on an assured farm is literally no different to supermarkets putting British flags on their Polish sausages just because they were vacuum packed in Leicester.
So don't be an ostrich, get your head out of the sand. Defending @RedTractorFood in its current guise is defending a system so clearly unfit for purpose that 95% of farmers can see it very clearly.
The grain buyers DO NOT demand RT. They have been handed it on a plate, for free. Why would they say no?
The very fact that they buy non-RT imported for the SAME PRICE as RT assured proves the point they they do not, in fact, demand, require, or even value it.
The very fact that they buy non-RT imported for the SAME PRICE as RT assured proves the point they they do not, in fact, demand, require, or even value it.
These are the problems. What are the solutions?
1) Cut overheads. Why is @RedTractorFood based in London, and not Stoneleigh?
2) Stop wasting money on promoting a brand that no one knows, and even fewer people value.
1) Cut overheads. Why is @RedTractorFood based in London, and not Stoneleigh?
2) Stop wasting money on promoting a brand that no one knows, and even fewer people value.
3) Incentivise compliance by reducing inspections for high quality farms, and reduce their membership fees accordingly.
4) Cease gold plating production standards. There is no reason why @RedTractorFood should be deciding how we farm.
4) Cease gold plating production standards. There is no reason why @RedTractorFood should be deciding how we farm.
4 continued) We should be following all relevant regulations, and meeting the same phytosanitary standards as any imports. ANYTHING BEYOND THIS IS WASTING OUR MONEY AND TAXING THE WHOLE INDUSTRY.
I am a member of the C&O AHDB board. There is a strong, and growing, sentiment amongst my colleagues that the money AHDB pays towards RT does no represent good value. AHDB does in fact have a stake in RT itself, but the real power lies with the NFU.
So come on @Minette_Batters @HertsFarmer @ProagriLtd @essexpeasant .
@RedTractorFood is broken, badly. Investing time, money, and effort into propping it up is directly working against the interest of UK farmers from almost every sector.
Let's fix it, now.
@RedTractorFood is broken, badly. Investing time, money, and effort into propping it up is directly working against the interest of UK farmers from almost every sector.
Let's fix it, now.
