The AIC Podcast — UK Agri‑Supply Chain Insights

What did party conference season 2026 reveal for UK agriculture and the agricultural supply chain?

In this episode of ⁠The AIC Podcast⁠,  AIC Chief Executive Robert Sheasby and Head of Policy and External Affairs Ed Barker join Wendy Ford, AIC Communications Manager, to reflect on the key themes from across the UK’s political party conferences and what they could mean for agriculture and agricultural supply businesses.

We cover:

• The key themes that emerged from party conference season and what they could mean for UK agriculture and the agricultural supply chain.
• Why food security featured in the political conversation and its importance for the sector.
• The political focus on business growth and the pressures facing businesses from rising costs.
• The UK-EU relationship and why future developments could matter for agriculture and agricultural supply businesses.
• Why direct engagement with politicians and policymakers matters for AIC Members and the wider agricultural supply chain.
• The political and policy developments AIC will be watching as the industry looks ahead.

Plus, stay to the end for a quick-fire round covering conference venues, catering and some memorable merchandise.

This episode is ideal for AIC Members, agricultural supply businesses and anyone working across UK agriculture who wants to understand the political themes emerging from the 2026 party conference season and what they could mean for the industry.

In this episode of The AIC Podcast,  Rose Riby, AIC Head of Combinable Crops and Seed, and David Huish from Dalton Seeds and Vice Chair of the AIC Seed Committee join Wendy Ford, AIC Communications Manager, to discuss certified seed, what it is, what it means for growers and why it matters for the future of the UK seed industry.

We cover:        

• What certified seed is and how it gives growers confidence that the seed they purchase meets recognised quality standards.
• What seed certification involves, including independent checks of germination, physical purity, moisture levels and the presence of weeds or other impurities.
• How growers can weigh the upfront cost of certified seed against its wider value, including quality assurance, traceability and investment in future varieties.
• The role of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s Recommended Lists in helping farmers compare varieties, disease resistance, straw strength and market opportunities.
• Why royalties are important in supporting plant breeders’ research and development, helping to bring forward new varieties and improved genetics.
• How seed treatments can protect crops against seed-borne diseases, and why accurate application rates and independent assurance are important.

• The role of the European Seed Treatment Assurance Scheme, known as ESTA, in supporting the safe and high-quality handling of treated seed.
• How certified seed can support sustainable crop production through known germination standards, improved varieties, responsible production and more targeted use of inputs.
• Why growers should seek advice from someone who understands their farm, the seed market, variety traits, disease risks and the needs of the end market.

As Rose Riby explains, certified seed provides “confidence that what you’re purchasing in a bag is as it should be”. David Huish describes it as “trust in a bag”, reflecting the reassurance provided by independent testing, traceability and recognised quality standards.

This episode is ideal for arable farmers, growers, seed merchants, plant breeders, agronomists and anyone who wants to understand certified seed, the certification process and the role it plays in supporting crop production and continued investment in future varieties.

In this episode, John Kelley, AIC Services Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of AIC, joins Wendy Ford, AIC Communications Manager, to look ahead to the AIC Dinner & Conference 2026 and explore some of the biggest questions facing the agri-supply chain industry.

We discuss how businesses are responding to political change, economic pressure, evolving regulation and shifting markets, as well as the opportunities emerging through trade, investment, changing consumer behaviour and the next generation of talent.

We cover:

• The challenges currently facing agricultural supply businesses, including drought, climate pressures and disruption across supply chains.
• Why food security is national security and the importance of strong political representation for AIC Members across the UK.
• How a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could create new opportunities for trade, while reducing paperwork, costs and bureaucracy.
• How changing shopping habits, diets and the use of GLP-1 drugs could influence food demand and decisions further up the supply chain.
• Why attracting new talent, showcasing the breadth of careers available and improving intergenerational working are essential to the industry’s future.

As John Kelley explains, the conference provides an opportunity for delegates to step away from the demands of day-to-day work, consider what is happening at a strategic level and continue important conversations with fellow Members, stakeholders and AIC colleagues.

This episode is ideal for AIC Members, agricultural supply businesses, policymakers, stakeholders, students and anyone considering a career in the industry. It offers a preview of the political, economic, market, consumer and workforce issues that will be explored at the conference.

The AIC Dinner & Conference 2026 takes place on 11 November at the Holiday Inn West in Peterborough.

In this episode, Harriet Trewin and Jo Gilbertson from AIC’s fertiliser sector join Wendy Ford, AIC Communications Manager, to discuss the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and what it could mean for fertiliser businesses, farmers and the wider agricultural supply chain.

We explore why CBAM is being introduced, how it is intended to address carbon leakage and create a fairer balance between UK-produced and imported goods, and why its success will depend on the scheme being practical, predictable and proportionate.

We cover:

• What the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is, why it is being introduced and the issue of carbon leakage it is intended to address.
• Why nitrogen fertilisers fall within CBAM’s scope and how additional carbon-related costs could affect fertiliser pricing, availability and the wider agricultural supply chain. 
• What remains uncertain, including free allowances, default emissions values and the information businesses will need to calculate their potential liability.
• How businesses can begin preparing by checking commodity codes, establishing who is legally responsible as the importer, improving record-keeping and speaking to suppliers about verified emissions data.
• How AIC’s CBAM calculator can help Members model different scenarios and develop an indicative range of potential costs while key policy details remain outstanding.

As Harriet Trewin explains, “Prepare as much as you can.” Although important details remain uncertain, businesses can take action now to understand their supply chains, gather emissions information and identify where potential risks may arise.

This episode is ideal for fertiliser importers, manufacturers, distributors, agricultural businesses and anyone who wants to understand CBAM, its potential implications and the practical steps businesses can take ahead of its planned introduction on 1 January 2027.

In this episode, Sarah-Jane Godfrey, AIC Technical Manager, talks all things ⁠Forage Analysis Assurance (FAA) Group ⁠as she tells us about the importance of accurate, consistent and reliable forage analysis, and the role the Group plays in supporting livestock nutrition across the UK and Ireland.

We cover:

• What the FAA Group is, why it was established, and how it works to improve the accuracy, consistency and reliability of forage analysis.
• How the FAA Group's proficiency testing scheme helps maintain high laboratory standards through independent benchmarking and continuous improvement.
• Why accurate forage analysis is essential for informed ration formulation, livestock performance, feed efficiency and farm profitability.
• How laboratories, nutritionists and farmers benefit from greater confidence in forage analysis results and the transparent publication of laboratory performance grades.
• The role of forage testing in helping livestock producers make better use of home-grown forages, improve resource efficiency and support more sustainable farming systems.

As Sarah-Jane explains, "You can't manage what you don't measure," highlighting why reliable forage analysis remains a fundamental tool for livestock businesses.

This episode is ideal for livestock producers, nutritionists, feed advisers, forage specialists and anyone involved in ruminant nutrition who wants to better understand the science, quality assurance and practical value of forage analysis.

Recorded earlier in 2026 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the FIAS Scheme, in this episode of The AIC Podcast, AIC Technical Manager Roberta Reeve discusses the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS), its role in supporting safe and secure fertiliser supply, and what Participants need to know to stay compliant.

We cover:

• What FIAS is, why it was created, and how it helps manage safety and security risks across the fertiliser supply chain.

• How the Scheme supports public and regulatory confidence by ensuring fertilisers are supplied, handled, stored and traced safely.
• Why FIAS applies across all fertiliser types, not just higher-risk products such as ammonium nitrate.
• Common areas where Participants can face challenges, including internal audits, management review meetings and training records.
• Practical support available through the FIAS website, including template documents, training videos and FIAS e-learning.
• Good practice tips for embedding the FIAS Standard into day-to-day business operations and preparing for audits throughout the year.
• The Scheme’s 20th anniversary, its role in supporting safe fertiliser handling, and the planned implementation of the updated FIAS Standard in October 2026.

This episode is ideal for FIAS Participants, fertiliser businesses, merchants, transport operators, stores, product sales teams and others involved in the fertiliser supply chain who want clear, practical guidance on assurance, compliance, safety and security.

In this episode, AIC Head of Policy and External Affairs EdBarker and AIC Head of Animal Feed James McCulloch discuss the latest developments in UK and EU deforestation policy and what they mean for agricultural supply chains.

We cover:

• The latest updates to EUDR and what businesses should know ahead of implementation.

• What EUDR means for Northern Ireland, including regulatory oversight, supply chain challenges and the practical implications for importers and feed businesses.

• The UK Government's plans for a Great Britain Forest Risk Commodity (GBFRC) regime and how it could differ from, or align with, EUDR requirements.

• Key questions around compliance, due diligence, imports, enforcement, competitiveness and the treatment of products linked to forest-risk commodities.

• How AIC is working with government, Northern Ireland authorities and industry partners to help shape policy and support Members as further details emerge.

This episode is ideal for feed businesses, commoditytraders, importers, merchants, processors and others involved in agricultural supply chains who want to understand the latest regulatory developments on deforestation, trade and supply chain compliance.

In this episode, Sarah-Jane Godfrey, AIC Technical Manager, explains the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) and its role in the UK feed and food supply chain.

We cover:

• What FEMAS is and how it supports the safe production and supply of feed materials, based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) principles.
• How FEMAS underpins traceability and compliance with feed and food safety legislation, protecting animal health and the wider food chain.
• How the Scheme operates in practice, including sector-specific requirements, independent certification, and Participant responsibilities.
• Common areas of non-conformance, such as record-keeping, pest control, and documented procedures, with practical tips to support compliance.
• How FEMAS supports continuous improvement, international trade, and a more sustainable, circular approach to feed production.

This episode is ideal for feed material producers, processors, importers, storage operators, and businesses involved in the feed and wider agricultural supply chains who need clear, practical guidance on assurance, compliance, and feed safety.

In this episode, Gill Barrow, AIC Technical Manager, explains the importance of the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) and its role in the UK agricultural supply chain.

We cover:

• What TASCC is and how it supports the safe handling, storage, transport and testing of combinable crops.
• How TASCC fits between farm and end user, ensuring traceability and compliance with food and feed safety legislation.
• How the Scheme works in practice, including annual independent audits and Participant responsibilities.
• Common compliance challenges and practical tips to help businesses meet the standard.
• How TASCC supports continuous improvement and reduces risk across the grain and feed supply chain.

This episode is ideal for hauliers, merchants, storage operators, testing facilities, and businesses involved in grain, feed and wider agricultural supply chains who need clear, practical guidance on assurance, traceability and compliance.

In this episode, Sue Whittington, AIC Technical Manager, and James McCulloch, AIC Head of Animal Feed, to take a closer look at the AIC Sustainable Commodities Scheme (ASCS) and what it means for the UK feed supply chain.

The conversation explains, in clear and practical terms, why the scheme has been developed, how it supports deforestation‑free sourcing of key commodities such as soya and palm, and how it helps AIC Members meet evolving market expectations and regulatory requirements, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The episode also explores how the scheme works in practice across different parts of the supply chain, from importers and traders through to compound feed manufacturers.

 
This episode is ideal for businesses involved in feed and wider agricultural supply chains who need to understand how deforestation due diligence, chain of custody and sustainability requirements are changing, and how a single, independently verified scheme can help streamline reporting and support continued market access.

For further guidance and additional resources, listeners can refer to AIC Member Communications and the AIC website.