Red Tractor announced last September the introduction of "Risk Based Inspections" and a newsletter was sent out to all producer members reminding them about the importance of 365-day compliance. The major change here was to introduce a grading system (decision matrix) based on the nature and number of non-conformances found at the routine inspection. "Poor performers" exceeding an as-yet unknown threshold, are then subject to an increased inspection frequency - usually in the first instance this appears to constitute an un-announced "spot-check" for which the producer must pay. The purpose of this newsletter is to alert our producers to the reality of the new inspection regime, the impact it has already had on some of our clients, and common problems/non-conformances that really do now need to be avoided. The background to the new inspection regime appears to relate to increased scrutiny of the pig sector (in part related to increased Animal Rights activity) and questions being voiced in some quarters over the robustness of the scheme. 

Since implementation of the new risk based regime, and an apparent harder stance in terms of enforcement, non-conformances have been issued to several of our clients.

Find out more in the latest TALKSHOP.