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Food industry assured food standards

The Unit acts as the first point of contact and advisory point within Defra on Assured Food Standards (AFS), which is the independent organisation set up to manage the Red Tractor mark. Owned by the food chain, AFS represents the interests from each of the key links, including the National Farmers' Union, the Ulster farmers' Union, the Meat & Livestock Commission, Dairy UK and the British Retail Consortium.

AFS sets the assurance standards that apply to various commodity sectors and to different links in the food chain, and manages the certification bodies that police those standards. At the point of packaging, AFS defines the usage conditions for the Red Tractor logo; licences the processors and packers who display it on their packs; and ensures that the Red Tractor is only seen on food that is allowed to carry it.

Page last modified: 21 July 2009
Page published: 21 July 2009

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