TO BE PUBLISHED June 2026
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine priorities for supporting resilience, sustainability, and affordability and access in the UK food system. The agenda will bring out latest thinking on the way forward for strengthening domestic production and food security in the face of ongoing pressures on farming, supply chains, land use, and household food costs.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities emerging from major policy strands, including the UK Government Food Strategy and Food Security Report 2024. We expect a focus on findings of the Farming Profitability Review and how its recommendations on profitability, supply chain fairness, regulatory burden and access to investment should be taken forward through the forthcoming 25-Year Farming Roadmap. Attendees will examine practical questions around delivery responsibilities, planning and infrastructure reform, reducing barriers to private investment, and the role of the Farming and Food Partnership Board in supporting coordinated action across government, regulators and the sector.
Supply chain resilience, diversifying supply & maintaining standards
Sessions will assess practical steps to improving supply chain resilience, including strategies for reducing reliance on imports of food and critical inputs without introducing new risks, and approaches to diversification that can safeguard continuity of supply. Attendees will consider priorities for stronger data collection, monitoring and oversight - including the role of metrics for biodiversity, emission, and ecosystem outcomes - and how risk management tools, strategic reserves, and price volatility measures might best be used in practice.
Land use & innovation
Further discussion will look at longer-term choices around land use and investment, including how decisions can balance food production with nature recovery, housing, and renewable energy objectives, and what governance arrangements may be needed to support consistent delivery across national, regional, and local strategies. The agenda will also consider effective practical approaches to accelerating adoption of innovation - including regenerative approaches, plant breeding, alternative and circular proteins, and AI-enabled supply chain management - and how support mechanisms, procurement practice, and local food strategies can help smaller farms and vulnerable households while maintaining trust and engagement.
Overview of areas for discussion
- governance and coordination:
- priorities arising from the UK Government Food Strategy and Food Security Report 2024 - assessing the role of the Farming and Food Partnership Board
- clarity on roles across departments, regulators and delivery bodies - mechanisms for coordinated decision-making and accountability
- domestic production and supply chains:
- options for reducing reliance on imported food and critical inputs without transferring risk elsewhere - growth opportunities across primary production and processing
- addressing barriers to investment and private finance - diversification strategies, strategic reserves and risk management tools - implications for farmers, processors and retailers
- data, monitoring and oversight:
- strengthening data collection and intelligence to support early warning and planning - consistent metrics for biodiversity, emissions and ecosystem outcomes
- practical use of data in investment, regulation and delivery decisions
- land use and planning:
- reconciling productive agricultural land use with nature recovery, housing and renewable energy priorities - approaches to multifunctional land management
- alignment of national, regional and local strategies - priorities for improving food and farming infrastructure through planning reform
- innovation and transition support:
- accelerating adoption of regenerative practices, plant breeding, alternative and circular proteins, and AI-enabled supply chain tools
- access to capital, skills and advice for tenants and smaller farms - managing soil degradation and long-term productivity
- household impacts and equity:
- affordability and availability of food for vulnerable households - role of public procurement, local food strategies and social programmes
- maintaining trust and participation during periods of price volatility and climate disruption
