17/09/2026
Have your say on FDE here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/is-ahdb-farm-data-exchange-the-new-red-tractor-greener-farms-commitment.441073/page-26 -10238795
📊 BFU CALLS FOR PAUSE ON FARM DATA EXCHANGE 📈
The British Farming Union (BFU) has been in communication with AHDB regarding the proposed Farm Data Exchange, and is calling for a pause to its development and implementation while much-needed stakeholder consultation takes place.
Farmers need clarity on who will own, control and have access to the data, how the infrastructure and intellectual property will be governed, and how levy-payer funding is being used.
There are also important questions around the proposed voluntary nature of the Exchange. AHDB has acknowledged that it cannot prevent processors or retailers from making participation a requirement for contracts or market access. This raises legitimate concerns about whether something described as voluntary could, in practice, become compulsory through the supply chain.
Before this progresses any further, the BFU believes levy payers and affected stakeholders should have the opportunity to properly scrutinise the statutory basis, full business case, costs, governance and proposed use of the data.
The BFU is therefore calling for a pause and meaningful stakeholder consultation before further development or implementation takes place.
Farmers generate the data. They deserve a proper say in how it is collected, controlled and used.
