AIC Hosts MPs’ Visit as Part of Food and Farming Scheme

Last week, Members of Parliament (MPs) taking part in the Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme visited a working arable farm in Suffolk to gain a better understanding of the journey from field to fork and the pressures facing the sector.

The scheme is a collaboration involving the AIC, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), and other supporting organisations. It aims to provide MPs with first-hand insight into the UK’s food supply chain and the role of agri-supply businesses in supporting sustainable and affordable food production.

The visit took place at E J Barker and Sons, a family-run farm in, Mid Suffolk. Four MPs from across the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties attended the visit, alongside industry representatives including the NFU and AIC.

The full-day programme covered crop production, environmental management and commercial decision-making, while also providing an opportunity to discuss current challenges facing the arable sector, including rising input costs linked to global events.

Activities during the day included:

A farmyard tour highlighting the safe and accurate use of fertilisers and crop protection products, and the role of agronomists and advice in sustainable farming.
A field visit showcasing crop rotations, biodiversity features, and the implementation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
A machinery demonstration illustrating precision farming techniques and the importance of ongoing investment.
An overview of how crops are grown, stored and harvested, and how variety choice interacts with end food, feed and other end markets.

Discussions also covered wider policy considerations, including the potential implications of the UK–EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and the need for appropriate transition arrangements for farm businesses.

Commenting on the visit, Ed Barker, Head of Policy and External Affairs at AIC, said:

“Once again, AIC is pleased to be working closely with the NFU on the Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme. The Scheme allows the arable supply chain demonstrate to MPs the dynamics and challenges in farm inputs, and its variety of customers in food manufacturing, malting, milling, animal feed and energy sectors. Explaining these through the perspective of an arable family farm builds knowledge and provides a platform for further engagement with parliamentarians.”

The farm, which grows crops including wheat, barley, oilseed rape and beans, demonstrated how farm businesses operate within a complex supply chain, balancing food production and environmental outcomes.

The scheme will conclude with a dinner in Westminster, recognising each MP’s commitment to understanding the UK’s food and farming landscape.

AIC will continue to use this initiative as an opportunity to foster constructive relationships with MPs, together with NFU, to improve understanding of the agri-supply sector and build ongoing rapport with MPs.