Blog: Progress on AIC’s asks of the UK Government a year on from its manifesto launch
On the anniversary of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) launching its 2024 General Election manifesto - which set out its asks of the next UK Government - Head of Policy and External Affairs Ed Barker reviews the agri-supply trade association’s achievements to date.
Since the election of the Labour Government last July, AIC has been successful in progressing its core asks within its General Election manifesto, which was launched a year ago today on 5 March 2024.
With a focus on ensuring a productive, sustainable, and resilient food system, AIC’s key policy recommendations have helped shape significant actions from the UK Government over the proceeding months.
From enhancing food security to tackling trade barriers with our biggest partner and sustainability standardisation, our advocacy work on behalf of Member businesses in the UK agri-supply industry is delivering tangible results in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture.
Key asks of Government
Ahead of last year's General Election, AIC's asks of the new UK Government were to:
- Create a Land Use Framework and deliver on the "Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security" report recommendation of an independent UK Food Security Committee, a proposal which has gathered widespread support from farming unions, politicians and academics since the report's launch at the AIC Conference in November 2023
- Improve trade by addressing policy divergence between the UK and EU, as well as within the UK home nations
- Standardise sustainability metrics, ensuring that UK agriculture is not disadvantaged
Easing trade friction
Since EU-Exit, UK-EU trade in plant and animal products has faced significant barriers due to the lack of a veterinary or Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
AIC has been steadfast in calling for a functioning SPS agreement to streamline border processes, reduce costs, and improve market access for UK agricultural businesses.
We are pleased that the Government has now begun the work of negotiating such an agreement with the EU, a policy shift that will benefit the entire agri-food supply chain.
Reducing trade friction and ensuring that UK exporters can operate with greater certainty will bring great certainty to agricultural markets and improve competitiveness.
Since the new Government took office, we have been working closely with ministers and civil servants as they engage in these negotiations to help foster a beneficial outcome for agri-supply businesses.
Not only has this involved meeting Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Ministers, but it has also seen engagement with the Minister for European Union Relations, Nick Thomas Symonds MP, who gave an address at AIC’s annual parliamentary reception last September.
Learn more about why an SPS agreement is vital for UK agriculture in my previous blog below.
Strengthening UK food security
AIC has long called for a strategic, independent body to oversee UK food security, as highlighted in our "Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security" report published in 2023.
It was therefore encouraging to see the appointment of Daniel Zeichner MP as the UK’s first-ever Minister for Food Security within Defra and demonstrates the Government’s long-term priority on this issue. We cannot overlook the fact that some parts of Government policy – such as impacts of the Autumn Budget – have the potential to negatively impact our nation’s food security, and AIC continues to make this case to Ministers.
Just last month, we welcomed the Government’s consultation on a long-awaited Land Use Framework, another key recommendation in our manifesto.
By considering how land is allocated between food production, environmental stewardship, and renewable energy generation, this framework will help to optimise land use efficiency and long-term food resilience.
Read more on the need to bolster our nation’s food security in the below blog by AIC’s Chief Executive Robert Sheasby.
Standardising sustainability metrics
AIC has consistently advocated for a standardised approach to sustainability data to enable the UK’s agri-food supply chain to make informed investment decisions.
The Government’s interest in developing a coherent sustainability framework aligns with AIC’s Sustainability Action Plan, launched last November.
We continue to engage with policymakers on the need for clear, comparable sustainability metrics.
This will not only provide businesses with the confidence to invest in greener solutions but also help the UK meet its climate and environmental targets in a way that is fair and achievable for the entire food system.
For more on this, read the below blog by our Head of Sustainability Vicky Robinson.
Ongoing efforts
The progress seen in the months since the 2024 General Election is proof that our industry’s voice is being heard more than ever.
Working on its Members’ behalf, AIC will continue to engage with policymakers to ensure Government ambitions and commitments on food security, trade, and sustainability translate into positive action for UK agriculture and the wider agri-food sector.
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