AIC’s Westminster Reception Unites 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 09 September.
Hosted in the House of Commons by Helena Dollimore MP, the event welcomed over 80 attendees from across the UK and EU agri-food supply chains. This included AIC Member businesses, farmer representatives, trade bodies, MPs, Peers, and officials from the European Commission and various embassies.
In his opening remarks, Jonathan Lane expressed his thanks to Helena Dollimore MP for hosting, noting her background in international development and recent appointment to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee. He also acknowledged recent changes at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), thanking outgoing ministers Steve Reed and Daniel Zeichner for their engagement, and welcoming Emma Reynolds and Dame Angela Eagle MP to their new roles.
The reception also featured a speech from Alistair Carmichael MP (EFRA Committee Chair), who offered strong support for the agri-food sector and emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry and Government to secure the future of UK-EU agri-food supply chains.
Reflecting on the evening, Robert Sheasby, AIC’s Chief Executive, said:
"It was a pleasure to bring together such a wide range of politicians, civil servants, and UK and EU agri-food stakeholders with our AIC Members. Events like this are vital for highlighting the value our industry brings to agriculture, food production, the environment, and the wider UK economy. I’d like to thank everyone for supporting AIC’s annual parliamentary reception, especially Helena Dollimore for kindly hosting this valuable networking event, and Alistair Carmichael for addressing our guests.”
Speeches and discussions throughout the evening underscored the need for long-term policy clarity to encourage inward investment and boost UK productivity. Attendees called for policies that support innovation, infrastructure, and people, ensuring the agri-supply chain remains internationally competitive and resilient.
A key focus for the months ahead is the potential for a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. The importance of reducing trade barriers, stabilising supply chains, and rebuilding confidence in UK-EU trade was highlighted, while recognising that dynamic alignment must be balanced with the need for flexibility.
Innovation and sustainability were identified as critical drivers for the sector’s future. There was strong advocacy for the adoption of precision breeding and greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, provided legislation is workable and compatible with any SPS framework. The importance of sustainable sourcing, carbon reduction, and lower-impact farming systems was also emphasised, with sustainability seen as central to the sector’s licence to operate and its ability to lead internationally.
In closing, the message from the sector was clear: the agri-supply industry is vital to UK food security and the wider economy, and partnership with government is essential to deliver the clarity, consistency, and confidence needed for investment and growth.
View a selection of photos taken at the reception on AIC's Flickr account.
Author
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.