The Community for the Agrifood Value Chain
Rural Policy Group is a community for the agrifood industry and associated professionals.
Through a series of events, exclusive networking sessions and original briefing papers, we create dialogue between the political, business and academic spheres to improve the financial and environmental sustainability of the agrifood value chain. We help businesses translate government initiatives into action and reward, and work with Parliament to design policies and legislation which better support British agriculture, food and farming.
RPG, with its partners and members, is a vocal advocate for fair value in the food supply chain, self-sufficiency as the primary driver of food security, sustainable actions as a valued and valuable commodity and stimulating private investment in farms and other agrifood businesses.
Championing the food supply chain since 2019
In 2020, we began supporting rural businesses through the pandemic with a series of RED Talks which explored the challenges and opportunities facing rural economies and communities. The rural economic development talks kept bringing us back to the vital role of farming and farmland to the health of our population, economy and environment so we decided to turn our attention to this vitally important sector.
In 2021, we crafted the first annual Sustainable Food Report. Each year we spotlight a regional powerhouse of agrifood activity and potential, and value it as if it were a FTSE 100 constituent to demonstrate the size, scope and power of the food supply chain.
In 2023, RPG established the APPG on Fair Value in the Food Supply Chain, the first All Party Parliamentary Group dedicated to solving systemic issues affecting fairness in the agrifood value chain.
In 2024, RPG went on tour to reach farmers in their own communities and share their concerns with the new government in an open letter. It also held the inaugural Better Farming Conference dedicated to regenerative farming and sustainable food systems.
In 2025, the group is advocating for government to unleash private investment in agriculture, food and farming.
Rural Policy Group Founder Mark Lumsdon-Taylor sat down with Daniel Zeichner, Shadow Environment Secretary, to discuss why we need change in food policy and how the work of RPG supports agricultural, food and farming businesses.
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
We delve into the issues of the day facing rural businesses and rural communities, providing insight, commentary and sustainable business and financial advice to industries as diverse, yet inextricably linked, as farming, food, tourism and hospitality. Underpinning this policy theme is the need for reform in the food system, starting with a more ambitous food security target and a review of food pricing and margin share in the supply chain.
Health
An economy cannot function without a healthy population to drive it and medical intervention alone does not provide a sustainable or effective solution for better health. We work with public & private healthcare providers and employers to improve public health and wellbeing through the integration of prevention healthcare and natural treatments with traditional medical structures. Along with our ecosystems approach to healthcare and prevention health, RPG has a special interest in mental wellness.
Environment Social Governance (ESG)
We engage with government and business to support the journey to Net Zero carbon emissions and encourage the uptake of more sustainable and ethical financial and business practices across the rural economy and allied industries.