Lidl Champions British Agriculture With Farming Conference

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Lidl has reinforced its commitment to British agriculture by bringing together over 130 farmers, food producers, and industry leaders for its inaugural Grassroots British Farming Conference. Held at Harper Adams University, the UK’s leading institution for agri-food and rural sectors, the two-day event provided a platform for collaboration, innovation, and tackling the future challenges of British farming.

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Lidl brought together over 130 British farmers, food producers, and industry leaders for its inaugural Grassroots British Farming Conference at Harper Adams University.
Two-day event fostered collaboration and innovation through expert-led talks on topics such as regenerative farming and mental health, alongside an interactive “Lidl in Dialogue” session.
As part of its support for the sector, the discounter is on track to invest £21bn in the British food industry by the end of FY24, exceeding its original five-year commitment by 40%.
Comes after Lidl became a founding partner of £1 million Soil Association Exchange fund, an initiative supporting British farmers in implementing best practice sustainability projects.

The packed agenda featured expert-led discussions on agricultural policy, regenerative farming, livestock behaviour monitoring technology, and mental health, alongside hands-on demonstrations in key areas such as soil health and butchery. “Lidl in Dialogue” – an interactive panel session – gave attendees a direct opportunity to engage Lidl’s sustainability and commercial teams and industry stakeholders, asking questions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.

Lidl has long been a champion of British agriculture, sourcing 100% of its fresh milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken, and beef from British suppliers. The supermarket has also taken a leading position in establishing long-term contracts and cost-of-production models, ensuring stability for suppliers in an evolving industry. In 2024 alone, Lidl pledged £1bn into the British egg industry, £1.5bn into British beef, £500m into British pork, and £70m into British root vegetables. The discounter is on track to invest £21bn in the British food industry by the end of FY24, exceeding its original five-year commitment by 40%.

Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, opened the conference, reinforcing Lidl’s long-standing partnership with British farmers:

“With two-thirds of our products sourced from British suppliers, we recognise the critical role agriculture plays in both our business and our customers’ shopping choices. Having strong family ties to farming myself, and over 15 years working closely with British suppliers at Lidl, I know first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry."

"For nearly five years, our Grassroots Farming Groups have played a crucial role in developing long-term, sustainable partnerships. Events like our Grassroots Conference allow us to foster open conversations, strengthen relationships, and ensure we continue growing together in the years ahead.”

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Lidl recently became a founding partner of the £1 million Soil Association Exchange fund, an initiative supporting British farmers in implementing best practice sustainability projects to reduce carbon emissions and improve soil health. The discounter has also taken a strong stance on policy issues, backing calls to pause proposed changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) and urging the Government to consult with industry leaders to find a workable solution.

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AW Hainsworth, a British fabric manufacturer and vertical woollen mill based in Pudsey, has appointed Paul Dudley as its new Head of Engineering and Sustainability. This newly created role will focus on shaping AW Hainsworth's Engineering and Sustainability strategy and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Paul joins AW Hainsworth with an extensive engineering, environmental, and health and safety management background, having spent the last 28 years predominantly working in the furniture industry. He previously worked for a German textile machine manufacturer in Leeds and has a vast knowledge of textile machinery and processes. Paul has successfully led sustainability projects such as IS0 14064 accreditation and implemented energy-saving initiatives in his previous roles. Paul comments:

“Joining AW Hainsworth feels like returning to my roots in textiles. The company’s rich history, manufacturing excellence, dedication to its workforce and environmental impact align perfectly with my passion for sustainability. I’m excited to help embed a sustainable culture in all areas of the business and to be part of a company that heavily invests in the interest of the workforce while putting environmental impact at the heart of everything it does.”

In his new role, Paul will focus on several key sustainability initiatives to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, increase employee well-being, and enhance overall efficiency. His initial efforts will include benchmarking data to guide the company’s sustainability strategy and exploring energy-saving operations for various systems and processes.

Amanda McLaren, Managing Director at AW Hainsworth, commented,

“We are thrilled to welcome Paul to our team. His expertise and dedication to sustainability will be invaluable as we continue integrating environmentally responsible practices into our operations and making significant investments towards evolving into a more sustainable business while maintaining our heritage of quality textiles.”

Founded in 1783, AW Hainsworth is known for producing iconic British woollen cloth and high-performing textiles. The company’s rich heritage includes furnishing royal interiors, palaces, and the House of Lords. Hainsworth cloth is also worn by royalty and the military and is chosen by designers, tailors, and garment manufacturers from diverse industries. The specialist textile company is the parent company to Hainsworth Fabric of a Nation, Hainsworth Protective Fabrics, Hainsworth Toptable, Natural Legacy by Hainsworth, John Atkinson, Hainsworth Technical Felt, Northern Rubber by Hainsworth, and Replin by Hainsworth.

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Lidl Champions British Agriculture With Farming Conference

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