DUP Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP is urging livestock farmers in Northern Ireland to take part in the Red Tractor consultation, focusing on proposed changes to its Beef & Lamb and Dairy standards.

Announced this week, the consultation runs until 3^rd November 2026, and provides an important opportunity for farmers to examine the proposals and consider what they would mean in practice for their farms.

Ms Lockhart said: “Red Tractor assurance standards have a direct impact on livestock farmers. This consultation gives farmers and those working on farms, an important opportunity to have their voices heard.

“I would strongly encourage those currently participating in the Beef & Lamb and Dairy schemes, to take time to look through the proposed changes and respond. Farmers know better than anyone what is practical and workable at farm level, and their experience and knowledge should be central to this process.”

The Upper Bann MP added: “It is encouraging to see Red Tractor proposing a more farm-specific approach, with fewer prescriptive audit points and a greater focus on each individual farm’s health priorities. However, it is essential that any changes genuinely reduce unnecessary bureaucracy rather than simply replacing one set of requirements with another.

“The proposal to reduce the number of requirements – up to a third for beef and lamb, and a quarter for dairy - is significant, but farmers need to carefully consider whether these changes will translate into meaningful reductions in paperwork, preparation and assessment time.”

She continued: “Every farm business is different, and what works for one, may not be appropriate for another. That is why the consultation process is vitally important. If a requirement is unclear, overly prescriptive or difficult to demonstrate in practice, farmers should say so.

“Equally, where farmers believe a proposed change will improve animal health, welfare, resilience or assurance, they should make that clear too.

“The Red Tractor assurance system must provide confidence to consumers and the wider supply chain, but it must also be proportionate and workable for the farmers who ultimately have to meet the standards.”

Carla Lockhart MP concluded: “I welcome the opportunity for farmers, advisers and industry stakeholders to scrutinise these proposals. I would urge as many people as possible to participate before the consultation closes.

“This is an opportunity to shape what comes next, and farmers should make sure their voices are heard. I understand similar consultations for crops, pigs and poultry are expected to follow at a later date. “



 View the consultation online at www.redtractor.org.uk/bld-consultation.