The AIC Podcast — UK Agri‑Supply Chain Insights

Deforestation Regulation Updates: What Agri-Supply Chains Need To Know

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.

The Feed Materials Assurance Scheme Explained

In this episode, Sarah-Jane Godfrey, AIC Technical Manager, explains the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) [https://www.agindustries.org.uk/sectors/trade-assurance-schemes/femas-feed-materials-assurance-scheme.html] 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.

The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops - Compliance and Best Practice

In this episode, Gill Barrow, AIC Technical Manager, explains the importance of the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) [https://www.agindustries.org.uk/sectors/trade-assurance-schemes/tascc-trade-assurance-scheme-for-combinable-crops.html] 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.

Supply Chain Assurance: Inside the AIC Sustainable Commodities Scheme

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 [https://www.agindustries.org.uk/sectors/trade-assurance-schemes/ascs-aic-sustainable-commodities-scheme.html] (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 [agindustries.org.uk].

EU Reset Impact on Plant Protection Products - SPS Alignment & UK Agri Supply Chain

In this episode, Hazel Doonan, AIC Head of Crop Protection and Agronomy [https://www.agindustries.org.uk/sectors/crop-protection.html], takes a closer look at the implications of the UK–EU reset for Great Britain’s crop production and supply chains.   The conversation explains, in clear and practical terms, how proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) alignment could affect the approval and availability of plant protection products (PPPs), changes to maximum residue levels (MRLs), and what this means for growers, agronomists and distributors across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.   This episode is ideal for listeners involved in UK agricultural supply chains who needs to understand how evolving UK–EU regulatory relationships may affect practical farming decisions. For those looking for further guidance and timely updates on this evolving situation, additional resources are available through AIC Member Communications and the AIC website [agindustries.org.uk].