Assured Food Standards (AFS) is an independent non-profit organisation set up to manage, develop and promote the Red Tractor scheme. We charge a small licence fee to cover admin costs especially the costs of the audit programme to ensure that the Red Tractor logo is used correctly.
Becoming a Licensee
Once you have completed your application form and we have verified the details you will receive confirmation within 2 working days.
Licensing Period
The licensing year for packers and processors runs from 1st April to 31st March in the following year. For Food Service outlets the licensing period is the calendar year. You can become a licensee at any time of the year.
Annual Fee
The licence fee is payable when you become a licensee and is then renewed annually at the beginning of the licensing period. The fee scale is based on the amount of product that you will label with Red Tractor logo. The application asks you for the actual or estimated annual Retail Sales Value of product that will carry the logo and we will notify you of the fee. We review the fee annually having regard for inflation and similar factors.
One Licence agreement per Production Site
The licence covers the packing/production site. One licence agreement can cover a wide range of products, provided they all meet the eligibility criteria. But Multi-site business must have separate licenses for every production / packing site. Similar conditions apply to food service wholesale suppliers. Businesses operating Food Service outlets should contact us direct to discuss their particular needs.
Integrity Checks
The licence agreement will allow us to make occasional audits, at our expense, to check that you are using the Red Tractor correctly. We use third party inspection companies for this work and as far as possible we encourage them to incorporate this piece of work into other audit work in your facility.
Your licence covers:
The Red Tractor logo promotes products that meet high standards of production (relating to food safety and hygiene, animal welfare, traceability and environmental protection) and has gained increasing recognition by British shoppers. It is used by all major retailers and increasingly by branded producers and food service outlets.
The licence:
- Allows you to use the Red Tractor logo on all eligible products supplied from the site
- Allows you to use the Red Tractor logo on sales material such as company websites, leaflets, point of sale material etc.
- Allows us to increase awareness of the Red Tractor logo among shoppers to maximise opportunities for everyone in the Red Tractor supply chain.
- Allows us to check everyone using the logo to ensure that its credibility and integrity is not undermined.
Methods of payment
Fees can be paid by BACS or cheque.