13 Feb 2025
by Vicky Robinson, Andrew Pearson

Sustainability Action Plan: Sustainable Raw Materials in focus

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The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has published Agri-supply: An Action Plan for Sustainable Efficiency, a pivotal resource designed to support UK agri-supply businesses in navigating the complexities of sustainability.

Launched at the AIC Conference on 13 November 2024, this comprehensive blueprint offers essential guidance for businesses across the key agri-supply sectors of Animal Feed, Combinable Crops, Crop Protection and Agronomy, Fertiliser, and Seed.

AIC’s Action Plan provides a clear framework for enhancing sustainability credentials while driving operational efficiency, fostering resilience, and contributing to a robust agriculture and food system in the UK.

Covering critical topics such as economic resilience, climate impacts, biodiversity, and sustainable communities, it delivers actionable insights and recommendations that align with government policies and market expectations.

Each week, AIC is exploring a chapter of the Sustainability Action Plan - this week we focus on “Sustainable Raw Materials”. Read the full chapter of AIC's Sustainability Action Plan on this area from page 32.

Visit the Sustainability webpage for more information.

Register for webinar

What does it mean?

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© iStock

Sustainable raw materials are those agricultural raw materials (commodities) grown and sourced for use for UK food, feed, fuel and fibre production, and for export.

Applying a circular economy approach to agricultural inputs maximises the potential for closing the nutrient loop; minimising waste, optimising resources and contributing to the sustainability of raw material.

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When it comes to Regenerative Agriculture, UK and EU agricultural policy reflects the drive for sustainable land management – producing food and protecting the environment in tandem.

Why does it matter to business?

Circular Economy
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© Shutterstock

The natural resources that we depend on for raw materials are vital and we therefore need to ensure that the sourcing and production methods enable their ongoing supply for future generations.

Regenerative Agriculture

UK agriculture needs to produce raw materials in a way that ensures their sourcing and production methods enable ongoing supply for future generations.

  • Agriculture is in a unique position in that it can actively restore and improve the environment.
  • There is an increase in focus within the value chain on the production of sustainable commodities.
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Learn more

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AIC’s Action Plan for Sustainable Efficiency is your guide to meaningful progress, offering practical actions to reduce environmental impact, support market access, and secure long-term resilience.

All agri-supply businesses are encouraged to explore the Action Plan and engage with AIC for further support. For queries and further information, contact AIC’s Head of Sustainability Vicky Robinson ([email protected]) or Policy Manager Andrew Pearson ([email protected]).

Go to the Sustainability webpage to find out more, or click below.

Related topics

Authors

Vicky Robinson

Vicky Robinson

Head of Sustainability, AIC

Vicky Robinson is Head of Sustainability and is responsible for leading and co-ordinating AIC's work on sustainability. 

A 2019 Nuffield Scholar, Vicky was previously Technical Director at Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), which followed 22 years working for Natural England and its predecessors on agri-environment delivery, policy development and implementation.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
01733 385230

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Andrew Pearson

Andrew Pearson

Policy Manager, AIC

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07464 540421

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