Purple Tractor has confirmed that it’s going to progress with plans to introduce two new tiers, primarily based on outside methods, by the top of the yr.
The reassurance scheme’s latest session on tiered welfare requirements for pigs acquired suggestions from 122 people from throughout the availability chain, together with producers answerable for over 200,000 sows.
Purple Tractor’s pigs sector board held a prolonged dialogue on the responses at its newest assembly. Based mostly on the suggestions from the session, it was agreed that Purple Tractor ought to progress work on making modules for farmers working outdoor-bred methods, together with straw-based and free-range ending, obtainable by the top of the yr.
“Now we have agreed in precept that we’re going to proceed, however this will likely be topic to additional work on proposed labelling and transition preparations to maximise the advantages for the entire provide chain, notably farmers,” pig sector chair Stewart Houston stated.
Purple Tractor’s six-week session included the proposed introduction of an Enhanced Welfare customary, primarily based on outdoor-bred or outdoor-reared pigs completed indoors, with more room and a strong, bedded mendacity space, and a Free-Vary tier for pigs with steady outside entry.
The introduction of outdoor-based tiers – the title of that are nonetheless underneath dialogue – would put Purple Tractor in direct competitors with the well-established RSPCA Assured scheme. Mr Houston stated there was already curiosity in these further tiers from key gamers throughout the availability chain.
He stated one of many greatest asks that got here out of the latest evaluate of UK farm assurance was for a discount within the duplication of audits.
“This is among the methods we will obtain that, whereas additionally giving outside producers an alternative choice for the way they guarantee their pigs,” he stated. “However there may be nonetheless loads of background work to be accomplished, together with with UKAS, to introduce the brand new modules.”
Farrowing methods
The session additionally sought views on a doable new ‘Licensed Requirements Plus’ tier for indoor manufacturing, with versatile farrowing as the important thing standards, sooner or later sooner or later.
There was consensus amongst the pigs board that Purple Tractor ought to assist producers to satisfy potential future adjustments in laws referring to the transition away from typical farrowing methods.
Nevertheless, Mr Houston stated extra time is required to mirror on the suggestions from the session earlier than figuring out essentially the most acceptable approach to do that.
The Pigs Board thanked everybody who supplied enter into the session, which Mr Houston stated will assist inform future requirements. A abstract of the session response will likely be printed sooner or later.
Core requirements
The session additionally proposed some changes to Purple Tractor’s current requirements, which it stated have been designed to align Purple Tractor with different schemes and cut back the audit burden on farms.
Most proposals acquired good assist within the session responses. Due to useful suggestions, some proposed requirements have been clarified or adjusted to make sure they’re sensible and clear, the reassurance scheme stated.
