The AIC has produced a three-point manifesto calling for better food security; improved trade with the EU and between the home nations; and sustainability metrics that do not disadvantage the UK.
“In anticipation of a general election this year, AIC has developed its manifesto priorities to tell MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates what agri-supply businesses need from the next UK government,” explains AIC chief executive Robert Sheasby. AIC members are encouraged to use the manifesto when engaging with MPs and prospective Parliamentary candidates in the run up to the election, which must be called before January 2025.
“The agri-supply sector is a fundamental part of the wider food supply chain, supplying farmers and growers with the essential products, trusted advice and quality services they need to feed the nation,” says Mr Sheasby. “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 the standardisation of sustainability metrics.”
In its manifesto, the AIC states: “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.”
The trade association has called for a statutory food security committee to be established to consider the food production and land use balances needed for the UK.
Discussing trade with the EU, the AIC says it wants the next government to address the barriers that have arisen because the UK-EU trade agreement has made goods harder to import and export.
UK regulatory bodies are struggling to implement this, the AIC notes, and burdens are leading to costly delays and extra paperwork to trade in goods. This is also affecting the UK’s internal market and is opening up inconsistencies in legislation across the four nations. The AIC suggests divergences between the UK and EU are monitored, with a Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement negotiated to allow goods to be traded more easily with the EU and Northern Ireland.
Finally, the AIC is calling for a consistent approach to sustainability in the food supply chain. It recognises that there is now demand for sustainability from consumers and supply chains, so businesses need consistent and accurate information to build confidence in their sustainability claims. The AIC wants the next government to help facilitate this while ensuring UK agriculture is not disadvantaged. Other countries have invested in green transition support and tax credits to support the transition to net zero in food supply chains – the UK risks being left behind in this area.
The AIC manifesto can be downloaded here.