AIC’s Election 2024 priorities: What we need from the next UK Government

A comprehensive, cohesive UK Government approach to our food security and land use

What we do with our land resource, and the food we produce with it matters for our economy, our productivity, our environment, and our people. Unlike other countries, the UK lacks a joined-up, cross-Government strategy on land use or food security.

To make long term, strategic planning decisions, businesses need to be clear on the next Government’s vision for our land and the role of food producers within it.

• AIC is calling for an independent, statutory food security committee to be established, considering the food production and land use balances needed for the UK and all Whitehall departments.
• Read the independent “Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security” report, which was commissioned by AIC to assess the agri-food sector's productivity and make recommendations to sustainably improve UK food security.

Improve trade with the EU, and within the UK nations

AIC needs the next Government to address the barriers that have arisen because of the UK-EU trade agreement have made goods harder to import and export.

UK regulatory bodies are struggling with the implementation of this, and burdens are leading to costly delays and extra paperwork to trade in goods. This is also impacting the UK internal market, opening up inconsistencies in legislation across the four nations.

• Actively track and monitor divergences in policies and standards between the UK and EU, and within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Currently there is no formal policy or mechanism established by the UK Government to monitor or track the growing policy divergences between the UK and EU, with trade bodies and businesses left to undertake this crucial work themselves.
• Negotiate a functioning veterinary or “Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS)” agreement with the EU. This would allow goods to be traded more easily with the EU and with Northern Ireland, while respecting the UK’s independence in trade and legislation.

A consistent approach to sustainability in the food supply chain

Sustainability credentials are being requested at product and business level from consumers and supply chains. Access to consistent and accurate information is vital to build credibility and confidence in claims made alongside fairness in the food system.

• AIC is asking the next Government to help facilitate this work and ensure UK agriculture is not disadvantaged.
• To deliver a net zero transition in our food supply chain, the next Government must commit to a blended public and private finance landscape including tax credits and green transition support. Other countries have made this investment already, and the UK risks being left behind.