19 March 2026
Newsletter – March 2026
Webinar: Leading the Way? Denmark’s Approach to Reforming Food and Farming Policy
Save the date – Wednesday 22nd April 2026, 1:00–2:00pm
In 2024, Denmark agreed on a groundbreaking agricultural deal to address some of the major societal challenges facing the agriculture, forestry and food sectors. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, afforestation, peatland restoration, reductions in nutrient runoff, and creating more space for nature, alongside significant investment in promoting healthy and sustainable food. The agreement was developed through a tripartite process, bringing together farmers, civil society, unions, industry, and local and national governments. Join us to learn more about what is happening in Denmark and to ask questions. Simone Højte (CONCITO) will present the key elements of the agreement, with David Baldock (IEEP) helping to draw out the implications for the UK.
More soon!
Building Partnerships for the National Lottery Climate Action Fund – Food Systems – Update
It was great to see so many of you at this networking event last week. More than 100 people signed up and shared their details which helped facilitate some really interesting conversations in the break-out sessions and hopefully the start of many new collaborations.
If you’d like to view the slide-set we populated with everyone who was looking to make connections then please get in touch: contact@agrifood4netzero.net
FlexFund Findings: Retailers, farmers and collaborating on food system change
While polarisation and lack of nuance in food system transition is often noted as a barrier, not many organisations have the time or skills to tackle what is potentially one of the most significant blockers. Funding from our Flex Fund allowed food systems alliance Eating Better to build on the organisation’s Changing the Narrative work strands, through three events that were designed to build relationships and deepen understanding of two key sectors: retail and farming. Two messaging guides were produced as a result of the days, with practical tips to better connect alliance members with both retail and farmer audiences.
FlexFund Findings: Bristol event tackles food waste reduction and recycling
Bristol Food Network used FlexFund money to look at food waste reduction and recycling, as an area of the food system with an outsized impact on overall emissions. This context provided the impetus behind an event looking at food waste practices among local businesses, ahead of the new English legislation that came into effect in March 2025. This requires all organisations over a certain size to recycle food waste, with smaller businesses expected to have to comply by 2027. With speakers from food businesses, waste companies and behaviour change experts sharing advice, participants included chain hotels, independent restaurants and catering businesses, as well as event spaces, local composting initiatives and surplus food re-distributors.
AFN joins over 100 organisations to call for a Good Food Bill
We are proud to be joining over 100 major UK retailers, food businesses, investors, health organisations, food and farming NGOs and academics, calling on the UK Government to introduce a Good Food Bill.
We need to protect consumers, farmers, growers and food businesses as our failing food system poses a threat to our security, our environment and our health. A new Good Food Bill would be a piece of legislation and a once-in-a-life time opportunity for the UK Government to set out a visionary plan to transform the food system.
In case you missed it
We had another great turn-out for our February webinar with more than 160 people joining us to hear Matt Stoughton-Harris speaking on the topic ‘From Risk to Resilience: What climate change could cost the UK food system’ You can now watch the video to see Matt’s talk and to hear him answering your questions.
News from the wider agri-food sector
Events:
LEAP Conference
Wednesday 22nd April, Worcester College, Oxford
Coming back for it’s 8th year, LEAP will once again welcome researchers working on aspects of meat and dairy production and consumption to consider its effects on population health, the economy, society and the environment. The LEAP conference aims to build a community of researchers in this field to share evidence and tools to inform action.
Future Countryside Conference
Tuesday 2nd June, Raby Castle, County Durham
Now in its fourth year, Future Countryside is a carefully curated, high-level forum bringing together an exclusive audience of decision-makers, including ministers, business leaders, landowners, conservationists, rural entrepreneurs and influential advocates.
Past speakers have included: Michael Gove, Rory Stewart, Tristram Hunt, Defra Secretaries of State, Senior leaders from the National Trust, RSPB, CLA and Marks & Spencers
EGEA Conference 2026
7–9 October, Montpelier, France
EGEA 2026 will place the consumer at the heart of the debate through a comprehensive food systems approach. The conference will bring together experts from diverse backgrounds to explore food systems and consumption patterns around the world, with a particular focus on how fruit and vegetables can support healthier and more sustainable food systems.
Abstract submission deadline: 30 March 2026
Early bird rate: 18 May 2026
Your views needed:
AGRIIH Stakeholder Survey: Exploring Perspectives on Agricultural Resilience
The Agricultural Resilience Impact and Innovation Hub (AGRIIH) at the University of Oxford is conducting a research study to better understand stakeholder perspectives on agricultural resilience — including key challenges, priorities, knowledge gaps, and experiences of collaboration across the sector.
We warmly invite stakeholders working in agriculture, agri-tech, food systems, environment, policy, finance, and related areas to take part.
The survey takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete and will remain open until the end of April 2026.
You can find the survey at this link
Have your say in the State of Agricultural Research & Innovation (SARI) Survey
If you are a researcher, advocate, or anyone whose work is connected to food and farming, the SARI Survey is an opportunity to directly inform where the UK should focus research effort and funding.
The SARI commissioning group includes Defra, UKRI, the devolved governments, and other major research funders and providers, meaning your input will help shape national research priorities and investment.
SARI is being run by an independent team from Ag.Impact, led by Professor Tom Macmillan, and will publish the most comprehensive view of agricultural research to date in October 2026.
Survey length: 15–25 minutes
Closing date: Friday 27 March
Resources:
Young people re-imagine the future of farming
In collaboration with RuralPod Media and Meet the Farmers podcast, Emergent Generation have released a two-part podcast documentary about the future of food and farming to show anything is possible when young people are involved.
Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming and Food details how group members think and feel about the future, how they imagine it can be and what they are doing to realise their vision.
Listen through RuralPod Media website , Simplecast or Spoti
More organic in schools can work for children and farmers, and help build UK resilience
With war and extreme weather threatening the UK’s food supply, we need a more resilient farming sector. The latest Sustain report shows how school meal programmes that invest in organic can support regional supply chains, keep profits circulating locally and reduce climate impacts of food production.
Sourcing Better 2.0 – a clearer pathway for food businesses to improve meat and dairy sourcing
The market for “better” meat and dairy needs to be built. To do that, we need clarity about what “better” actually looks like, and importantly, how to get there. That’s where Sourcing Better 2.0 comes in. This framework has long been a cornerstone of Eating Better’s work with food businesses, providing a practical roadmap to support progress towards the highest levels of animal welfare and nature friendly farming.
Fields of Change – December 2025
edition of IES journal now open access
Guest edited by Professor Nicola Cannon (Royal Agricultural University), this edition considers the interlinked, complex, crucial systems of agriculture and food production. It examines the potential for resilience, innovation, and transformation of our agricultural and food practices and systems, in the context of mounting pressures such as extreme weather, changing crop pathologies, an increasing global population, and pollinator decline.
