The introduction of a new remote assessment regime for farmer members has proven to be a highly successful initiative, according to new figures released by Red Tractor.

Over the past two months, the UK’s largest food and farming scheme has seen 6,300 members complete remote assessments on farm. In March, all physical assessments were halted in accordance with government advice on social distancing and non-essential travel.

Working with the scheme’s certification bodies and key stakeholders, a new protocol was developed to meet all UKAS requirements, and to ensure that the supply chain remained secure and fully traceable. The Red Tractor regime for remote assessments gives assessors the ability to have "virtual eyes" on farm and allows farmers to complete their assessments to gain or maintain their assurance status.

Members have been offered the opportunity to opt for either an offline pre-assessment of documentation, followed by a partial assessment using live-streaming technologies to provide a real-time visual inspection of the farm. Or, alternatively have the entire assessment-reviewing paperwork and documents, alongside a visual inspection streamed live with an assessor.

Red Tractor’s CEO Jim Moseley said: “With more than 6,000 remote assessments already completed since we began the roll out, and thousands more in the pipeline, we are delighted how quickly and well this new protocol has been received by members.

“Working with our certification bodies, we’ve continued to test the platforms and systems, and respond to user feedback, to deliver a robust regime for farmers. In doing so we have ensured that we continue to have a secure supply chain, which has every member, meeting every standard, every day.

“Increasingly our farmers are recognising the benefits of remote assessments. Not only as a viable solution for now, but as a real asset for the future- helping to overcome some of the geographic and biosecurity challenges they often face.”

Remote assessments have been made possible, largely due to the development of a unique online portal, which works as a confidential online filing cabinet. Members can upload and store all necessary documents required to demonstrate compliance to Red Tractor standards. It’s a secure and safe way for members to upload and review documents relating to their assessment and has been designed for all Red Tractor farm scheme and transport members to use.

Assessors can then review the documents ahead of the assessment to save members time. For farmers who struggle with mobile connectivity, the online portal allows them to upload documents beforehand at a time that suits them.

As the UK begins to open again, Red Tractor is now preparing to introduce the phased roll-out of physical inspections on farms. From Monday 6 July, the resumption of on-farm inspections will principally be for those who meet the following criteria:

• new applicants wishing to become Red Tractor assured
• those who have been identified as a poorer performer as part of Red Tractor’s risk-based approach
• where live streaming is not a credible option, due to connectivity or technology issues.

At this stage, most inspections will continue to be conducted remotely. This dual approach to assessments for farm members, means that from 6 July, inspections will return to being compulsory.

Jim Moseley added: “As we move towards a semblance of normality, with the relaxing of social distancing and travel restrictions, it is important that we take a sensible and measured sustainable approach to how we deliver our inspection regimes for the health and well-being of our members and inspectors.”

With more than 2,200 members already utilising the Red Tractor Portal and nine out of ten farmers finding it a helpful and easy to use resource, it is expected that most members will opt to use it for the paper-based reporting element of assessments.