07 Sep 2023

Members, politicians and industry celebrate 20 years of AIC at Westminster reception

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AIC Chief Executive Robert Sheasby addressing guests at the Westminster event.

Members, politicians and the agri-food industry came together to celebrate 20 years of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) working in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture as the UK's agri-supply trade association this week.

On Tuesday (5 September), AIC held a reception at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

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Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP speaking with AIC Chief Executive Robert Sheasby at the reception in the Houses of Parliament.

The event was kindly hosted by Julian Sturdy MP, with Defra Minister Mark Spencer MP giving an address. Guests included MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum, as well as civil servants, AIC Members and other national and international agri-food stakeholders.

The evening of networking was opened by Julian Study MP, Chair of the All-Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) for Science and Technology in Agriculture, before Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP addressed guests.

Watch a video of the event below.

Robert Sheasby, AIC's Chief Executive, said: "It was a pleasure to bring such a wide range of politicians, civil servants, envoys and agri-food stakeholders together with AIC Members to discuss the value of the agri-supply industry not just to agriculture, food production and the environment, but to the wider UK economy.

"As the agri-supply industry's trade association AIC has achieved a great deal for UK agriculture since it was founded in 2003, including launching the Feed Adviser Register, a range of vital assurance schemes, and crucial lobbying wins.

"I'd like to thank those who attended the reception to raise a glass to two decades of work by the AIC in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture; in particular, the Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP for making his address, and Julian Sturdy MP for hosting the event."

View a gallery of photos from the event below, or visit AIC's Flickr album.

AIC 20th Anniversary Reception, Westminster - 5 September 2023

Find out more about AIC, the work it does and its guiding pillars for sustainability and contributing to the circular economy - Productivity, Environment, and Competitiveness - on the 'About AIC' webpage.

Watch the video below to learn more.


Notes for editors

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is the UK’s leading trade association, representing agricultural supply chain sectors including arable marketing, crop protection, agronomy, feed, fertiliser, and seed. 

Formed in 2003, AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade which are responsible for £9 billion of annual farm trade.  

AIC is marking 20 years as the leading voice of the UK agri-supply industry, working in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture. Visit the website to find out more.

Political lobbying and policy influencing is a major part of its work, as well as supporting Members with technical information.  

AIC Services, which is the professional services arm of the AIC, manages a range of services, including Assurance Schemes recognised by UK government as essential tools to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security. These include:  

Visit the AIC website to find out more.

Press contact 

Oli Hill, Communications Manager, AIC 

+44 (0)1733 385230

[email protected]