Changes to Red Tractor Standards
On 1st February 2025 changes were made to Red Tractor Standards. The aspects that affect the veterinary review for Beef and Lamb, and Dairy farms, are as follows:
- Farms that have completed an Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Review in the last 12 months, do not need to carry out a separate Red Tractor health and performance review.
- Prophylactic administration of antibiotics is only permitted in exceptional circumstances.
- Prophylactic administration is when an animal is treated before clinical signs of disease. This includes using antibiotics in healthy animals to prevent diseases like watery mouth in lambs or pneumonia in calves.
- Exceptional circumstances include where the risk of an infection is very high or the consequences of not prescribing the product are likely to be severe. For example, if cases of watery mouth have been identified during lambing, it may be appropriate to treat high risk lambs with antibiotics.
- A vet must record the rationale if antibiotics are used prophylactically.
- A management review must be carried out by the vet within three months if a whole group of animals is treated with antibiotics prophylactically.
- Additional changes for dairy herds:
- Specific reference to dry cow therapy must be made in the Health Plan and Health and Performance Review.
- At least one person who is responsible for administering medicines must have undertaken a responsible use of medicine course within the last 5 years.
- If you require a medicine training refresher, please get in touch with the surgery.
- If two antibiotic residue failures occur within 12 months, the BCVA or Dairy UK investigation form must be completed.
More information: https://redtractorassurance.org.uk/our-standards/
