Briefings

The UK has concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a central commitment to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers to exporting to the region, with some tariffs phased out over time and others beginning straight away.

The annual Grain Analyst Refresher Quiz is now available on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) website.

The Climate Change Committee report sets out a comprehensive package of solutions to address the growing impacts of climate change affecting all aspects of life in the UK including agriculture and food.

HMRC has published draft UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) legislation focused on embedded emissions and verification ahead of 2027 implementation, with consultation responses due by 21 May 2026.

AIC Fertiliser Sector Members are invited to a Regulatory and Environmental Update Meeting , covering political and lobbying activity, the Gulf crisis, market statistics, and key regulatory developments including CBAM, fertiliser regulation and REACH.

WRAP have shared draft Version 3 of the Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Measurement and Reporting Protocols for Food and Drink and are seeking feedback ahead of final publication in autumn 2026.

AIC reminds Members of its UK–EU SPS sector priorities, developed through committee input and Member feedback, with full details and updates available via the dedicated SPS area on the AIC website.

AIC has stepped up engagement with UK Government in response to fertiliser market disruption linked to the Gulf conflict, focusing on maintaining demand, improving policy clarity and reducing supply chain risk to support UK food production resilience.

Agricultural Industries Confederation’s (AIC) summaries its cross‑sector priorities for a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, bringing together asks across crop protection, animal feed, combinable crops and seeds.

Plaid Cymru became the largest party in Wales for the first time following the 2026 election, but without a majority, meaning a significant political shift alongside likely coalition negotiations and a period of adjustment for a new government with implications for agricultural policy.

The SNP remains in power following the 2026 election but without a majority, meaning continued policy stability alongside greater reliance on cross-party support and uncertainty around coalition working, Reform UK’s role, and potential implications for agricultural policy.

Nominations are open for new Members of AIC’s Future Feed Forum, offering younger professionals the chance to support AIC’s work and help shape the future of the UK animal feed industry, with applications closing on 29 May 2026.