BASIS welcomes APPGSTA’s 30:50:50 report and joins call for innovation-led, sustainable food production

BASIS has welcomed the publication of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture (APPGSTA) report, Feeding Britain Sustainably to 2050 – The 30:50:50 Mission, which sets out a bold vision to increase UK agricultural output by 30% by 2050 while halving the sector’s environmental footprint.

The report brings together evidence and insight from more than 100 organisations across UK food, farming, and agri-science, including BASIS, NFU, AHDB, NIAB, CropLife UK, SRUC, SHAKE Climate Change Programme, and British Sugar. Together, these contributors underscored the need for coordinated policy, science-led innovation, and professional upskilling to deliver sustainable growth in UK agriculture.

William Burgess, Chair of BASIS Reg Ltd, represented the organisation at the final APPGSTA 30:50:50 roundtable in September at Portcullis House. Following the report’s publication, he commented:

“We welcome the APPGSTA’s call for a joined-up approach that embeds innovation, data, and professional development at the heart of agricultural policy. The 30:50:50 mission recognises that people and knowledge are as critical to sustainability as technology and regulation.”

The APPGSTA report references BASIS’s role in promoting professional learning and certification, noting its 30,000-strong membership of agricultural and environmental members and the need to embed accredited training within publicly funded knowledge exchange schemes.

“BASIS is proud to stand alongside organisations such as NFU, AHDB, NIAB, and SRUC in supporting a more productive and resilient UK food system,” added Mr Burgess. “By investing in people and ensuring they have access to up-to-date skills, advice, and science, we can help farmers achieve the ‘more from less’ vision at the core of the 30:50:50 agenda.”

The report calls on government to prioritise food security alongside environmental objectives, establish a National Farm Data Initiative, strengthen knowledge exchange infrastructure, and accelerate adoption of science-based innovation. BASIS particularly welcomes recommendations for a national Knowledge Exchange capability and for physical and digital infrastructure to be recognised as key enablers of sustainability.