Blog: AIC's food supply chain asks of the next UK Government as General Election looms
A General Election will almost certainly happen this year – the only question is when exactly.
In readiness, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has developed its manifesto priorities to tell MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates what food supply chain businesses need from the next UK Government.
Last year AIC surveyed Members to better understand their political priorities and consulted its Committees on what our manifesto should achieve on behalf of the agri-supply industry - a sector worth more than £17bn to the UK economy and a fundamental part of the wider food supply chain.
In short, AIC's key asks are to deliver on the “Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security” report recommendation of an independent UK Food Security Committee, to address policy divergence between the UK and EU, as well as within the UK home nations, and for standardisation of sustainability metrics.
These are the asks of AIC Members - the businesses which supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Political priorities
Just recently we've seen politicians from across the political spectrum recognise the importance of our nation's food security, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declaring it to be "top of the agenda".
The Liberal Democrats' Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP has written to the Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP to ask about the creation of an independent UK Food Security Committee, following the publication of the AIC-commissioned report.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party's shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP and shadow Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner MP have pledged to improve trade with the EU by seeking a veterinary agreement - a core part of AIC's manifesto.
Get involved
In the coming weeks, AIC's policy team will hold further constructive discussions with MPs from all major political parties to explain these asks and reaffirm the agri-supply industry as the bedrock of UK agriculture and sustainable food production.
I strongly encourage all AIC Members to meet with prospective MPs as their decisions will impact your business in the future.
This is your chance to use AIC's manifesto to highlight the value and significance of the agri-supply industry and to get across the asks of a future Government.
If you’re an MP or standing as a candidate in the next General Election, we want to speak to you about the priorities for the UK’s food supply chain.
Visit AIC's Election 2024 manifesto webpage for full details and to get in touch with our team of policy experts.
Download AIC's 2024 General Election Manifesto
AIC’s Election 2024 priorities: What we need from the next UK Government
A comprehensive, cohesive UK Government approach to our food security and land use
What we do with our land resource, and the food we produce with it matters for our economy, our productivity, our environment, and our people. Unlike other countries, the UK lacks a joined-up, cross-Government strategy on land use or food security.
To make long term, strategic planning decisions, businesses need to be clear on the next Government’s vision for our land and the role of food producers within it.
- AIC is calling for an independent, statutory food security committee to be established, considering the food production and land use balances needed for the UK and all Whitehall departments.
- Read the independent “Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security” report, which was commissioned by AIC to assess the agri-food sector's productivity and make recommendations to sustainably improve UK food security.
Improve trade with the EU, and within the UK nations
AIC needs the next Government to address the barriers that have arisen because of the UK-EU trade agreement have made goods harder to import and export.
UK regulatory bodies are struggling with the implementation of this, and burdens are leading to costly delays and extra paperwork to trade in goods. This is also impacting the UK internal market, opening up inconsistencies in legislation across the four nations.
- Actively track and monitor divergences in policies and standards between the UK and EU, and within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Currently there is no formal policy or mechanism established by the UK Government to monitor or track the growing policy divergences between the UK and EU, with trade bodies and businesses left to undertake this crucial work themselves.
- Negotiate a functioning veterinary or “Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS)” agreement with the EU. This would allow goods to be traded more easily with the EU and with Northern Ireland, while respecting the UK’s independence in trade and legislation.
A consistent approach to sustainability in the food supply chain
Sustainability credentials are being requested at product and business level from consumers and supply chains. Access to consistent and accurate information is vital to build credibility and confidence in claims made alongside fairness in the food system.
- AIC is asking the next Government to help facilitate this work and ensure UK agriculture is not disadvantaged.
- To deliver a net zero transition in our food supply chain, the next Government must commit to a blended public and private finance landscape including tax credits and green transition support. Other countries have made this investment already, and the UK risks being left behind.
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