John Swinney delivered his third Programme for Government as First Minister, and his first since the 2026 Holyrood election, on Tuesday 1 September. Public sector reform featured heavily in the statement.
Ed Barker, AIC Head of Policy, gave evidence to Holyrood's Rural Affairs Committee on the Rural Support Plan, alongside other rural and environmental organisations, as part of the Committee's inquiry that will conclude with a report expected in October.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published an interim response following its consultation and call for evidence on the proposed UK Fertilising Products Regulation (UK FPR), which closed on 10 June 2026.
Agricultural Industries Confederation's (AIC) Members came together with parliamentarians at the House of Commons on 08 September, with a key focus on strengthening connections with their local MPs and discussing the issues affecting agricultural supply businesses in constituencies across the UK.
AIC's Head of Policy and External Affairs, Ed Barker, attended the Reform UK annual conference in Birmingham this week as part of AIC's ongoing programme of political engagement across the party conference season.