AIC's Westminster reception brings together MPs, Peers, and UK-EU agri-food stakeholders
The future success of the UK and EU agri-food industry was at the heart of discussions at the Agricultural Industries Confederation's (AIC) annual parliamentary reception in London on 11 September.
Held in the House of Lords and kindly hosted by Lord Curry of Kirkharle CBE, the event saw more than 130 people representing the breadth of UK and EU agri-food supply chains - including AIC Member businesses, farmer representatives, and trade bodies - come together with MPs and Peers, as well as European Commission and embassy officials.
Among the reception attendees were representatives of three major European agri-supply trade associations - FEFAC, COCERAL, and Euroseeds - of which AIC is a member.
Robert Sheasby, AIC's Chief Executive, said: "It was a pleasure to bring a wide range of politicians, civil servants, and UK and EU agri-food stakeholders together with AIC Members to discuss the value of the agri-supply industry to agriculture, food production, the environment, and the wider UK economy.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their support of AIC's annual parliamentary reception, in particular Lord Currie for kindly hosting this valuable networking event and Cabinet Minister Thomas-Symonds for addressing our guests."
Cabinet Minster Nick Thomas-Symonds MP addressing guests at the AIC reception.
The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, gave a speech in which he acknowledged the agri-supply industry's vital role in underpinning food security and reaffirmed the Government's ambition to improve UK-EU trade by negotiating a veterinary or "Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS)" agreement.
In his speech, the Minister said: "Agriculture is a crucial part of the UK economy. The new government has been elected with a strong, clear mandate to reset the UK's relationship with the European Union, and improve our security, safety, and prosperity.
"The recent years have not always been easy, and that is why we want to tackle barriers to trade and look at opportunities for cooperation like an SPS veterinary agreement.
"But the Government cannot carry out this work without an effective, constructive, ongoing dialogue with industry leaders, with trade unions, and with society. I know the AIC will be a very important part of that conversation."
View a selection of photos taken at the reception on AIC's Flickr account.
Author
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.