AIC at 20: Joining the Agri-Supply Coalition to collaborate on policy direction
As AIC marks 20 years as the UK agri-supply industry’s leading trade association, we're looking back at some of its greatest achievements since it was founded in 2003.
Each week throughout 2023, we’ll explore a major achievement where AIC represented its Member businesses, promoted the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK, and supported collaboration throughout the food chain.
This week we look at how AIC collaborated with like-minded organisations in the wider agri-supply industry to form a strategic coalition contributing to the direction of UK farming, food, energy, and environment policies.
Working together
The EU Referendum result in 2016 presented a unique opportunity for AIC to tell the UK and devolved Governments what industry needs from future energy, farming, and environment policy once the UK withdrew from the EU.
It was vital that government ministers and officials heard a clear and coherent message to impress the political importance of UK agriculture.
This was the catalyst for the formation of a coalition of organisations which provide inputs, advice, and services to the agricultural industry, with AIC playing a core role from the outset in 2017.
The Coalition comprises the AIC, the Agricultural Engineers Association, the British Society of Plant Breeders, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, CropLife UK, the Grain and Feed Trade Association, the International Meat Trade Association, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, and the National Office for Animal Health.
This strategic group provides the agri-supply businesses with a united voice alongside the wider farming and food and drink industries, which are worth over £100 billion combined.
Joined-up thinking
Over time the group has evolved to focus on not just EU Exit-related matters, but also recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and wider economic challenges.
Chaired by Robert Sheasby, AIC's Chief Executive, the Coalition meets regularly to share knowledge, expertise, and ideas.
Officials from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are often invited to hear from the group.
Representatives of the Coalition also hold productive meetings with ministers on key legislation and trade issues as they arise, as well as on broader discussions on farm productivity and opportunities for the UK to become a global leader in agricultural research and innovation.
This collaboration is key to supporting modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture. Find out more about AIC's guiding pillars for sustainability and contributing to the circular economy - Productivity, Environment, and Competitiveness - on the 'About AIC' webpage.
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Authors
Oli Hill
As Communications Manager, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.
Ed Barker
