AIC Conference calls for focus on production as well as sustainability

The eighth Agricultural Industries Confederation conference recognised how meeting the challenge of ’sustainable intensification’, required a strong focus on production to meet a growing world population, as well as action to protect the environment and meet the need of climate change.

Agribusiness 2012 was organised by AIC at the East of England Showground, gathered an array of speakers led agriculture minister Jim Paice and NFU President Peter Kendall, to focus on ’The Big Issue’ as set out by the Foresight Report.

Mr Paice told the record number of delegates how the report formed the basis for Defra’s future policy and that agricultural business was at the heart of the department’s business plan. He recognised the challenge of producing more food while protecting the environment would need more innovative approaches. This was the focus of the Government’s ’Green Food Project’ which he was delighted that AIC had agreed to become involved.

Peter Kendall put the challenge that the UK faced into perspective - highlighting the fact that agricultural output has slowed. Wheat yields have stagnated for a decade and UK productivity is falling behind the growth experienced in countries like the USA where there has been strong investment in developing and implementing new technologies, including GM.

Conference topics ranged from global economics, presented by HSBCs Dennis Turner, to the Cooperative’s future plans to meet the challenges of climate change and rising food demand.

However, a theme common to many speakers was the challenge of the constant flow of regulation from the European Commission. AIC speakers reflected how every sector faced proposals that had the potential to add very large costs to the operations of the agricultural supply industry.

Feed Sector Chairman Tony Bell explained how proposals on sampling feed ingredients could have added £3million of additional costs, although lobbying by AIC had reduced this by some 95%.

"The themes emerging from this year’s conference endorse AIC’s two key strategies of engaging more closely with Europe, and becoming more joined up with organisations right along the food chain from input supply to retail shelf," said AIC Chief Operating Officer and conference organiser John Kelley.