AIC welcomes new Defra Secretary Steve Reed and outlines agri-supply sector priorities
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has welcomed Steve Reed MP as the newly appointed Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following the 2024 General Election outcome.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed his Cabinet after the Labour Party formed a Government today (5 July).
As Chief Executive of the UK's agri-supply trade association, AIC’s Robert Sheasby congratulated Steve Reed MP on his new role and stressed the need to provide certainty for the UK agricultural industry by tackling several important policy issues left incomplete.
AIC represents 230 businesses in the animal feed, crop protection and agronomy, fertiliser, grain trading and seed sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Mr Sheasby said: "On behalf of AIC, I congratulate Steve Reed MP on his appointment as Defra Secretary. The agri-supply industry now desperately needs greater certainty to give businesses the confidence to invest.
"The early General Election means there is profound uncertainty on a number of essential policy issues left unfinished by the previous government.
"This includes the National Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products, due diligence on forest risk commodities, regulatory reform proposals in the Food Standards Agency (FSA), precision breeding (gene editing) legislation, and a land use framework strategy.
"AIC strongly supports the Government’s manifesto commitment to seek an improved trade agreement with the European Union by negotiating a functioning veterinary or “Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS)” agreement. This could have significant benefits for the entire agricultural supply chain, including UK farmers.
"Our country needs a comprehensive, cohesive approach to food security with an independent, statutory committee providing a joined-up, cross-government strategy. We also need a standardised approach to sustainability in the supply chains which make up our food system."
"We look forward to working with the new UK Government to deliver for modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture."
On 8 July Daniel Zeichner MP was appointed as Minister of State for Defra, with AIC also congratulating him on his new role.
ð£ @DanielZeichner has been confirmed as Minister of State in @DefraGovUK.
— AIC | Agricultural Industries Confederation (@agindustriesUK) July 8, 2024
Congratulations to the Minister on his appointment - AIC looks forward to continuing to work together in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture ð¤ð¾ pic.twitter.com/aSAbafAlrV
Visit AIC's Election 2024 manifesto webpage for full details of its asks of the new UK Government, including expert commentary on key policy issues for Ministers to focus on.
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About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Oli Hill, Head of Communications, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Author
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.