Arup, ODI, WRAP, AHDB and HESTIA partner to design and test Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) and governance for the UK agri-food sector

Centred on digital innovation, the Food Infrastructure and Governance (FIG) project is a key research and development project to support a more transparent, resilient and sustainable food system across the UK.

Commissioned by Defra in collaboration with Defra’s Food Data Transparency Partnership (FDTP), Arup, the Open Data Institute (ODI), WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the AHDB and HESTIA will design, develop, and test new Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) and governance model for the UK’s agri-food supply chain.

The FDTP brings together government, academia and the food and drink industry to improve sector-wide sustainability through more consistent, accurate and accessible environmental impact data.

Agri-food system data and data sharing infrastructure underpins the delivery of outcomes in the Government Food Strategy, the Environmental Improvement Plan.

By enabling better measurement and communication of environmental impacts, the project will drive progress towards net zero and empower businesses, policy makers and consumers to make more sustainable choices.

The Arup-led consortium brings together leading expertise in data sharing, sustainability and the agri-food supply chain. Working collectively, the partners will demonstrate how efficient and trusted data sharing infrastructure can improve the way environmental impacts are monitored, reported and verified across the sector.

The consortium’s role spans the full lifecycle of the project, from designing and testing data sharing infrastructure suitable for the UK agri-food system, to advising on an optimal governance model for this infrastructure, and piloting data sharing across a selection of food product supply chains.

These pilots will demonstrate real-world benefits, such as reduced administrative burdens on farmers and producers, stronger environmental reporting and the accelerated digital innovation through tools such as smart data services and digital product passports.

The project will establish the evidence base needed for government and industry to invest in and deliver a DSI that provides public benefit, while supporting sustainable growth and resilience of the UK agri-food sector.

It will also contribute to the UK government’s wider ambition to create a smart data ecosystem within the agri-food sector.

Simon Evans, Global Digital Energy Leader at Arup, commented:

“This programme comes at the right time, with the government now prioritising the role of DSI in delivering the UK’s sustainability ambitions.

“Building on our experience shaping the energy sector’s Data Sharing Infrastructure with DESNZ, Ofgem, and NESO, we’ll apply proven approaches with our partners to develop trusted and secure data sharing infrastructure that ensure environmental impacts are measured and communicated consistently.”

The ODI's CEO, Louise Burke, said: 

"A sustainable agri-food supply chain depends on data that producers, policymakers and the public can trust. Reliable data on environmental impact requires common data standards and trusted infrastructure, and we're seeing growing demand across sectors for this approach, ensuring decisions are robust and systems are built safely.

“The ODI has supported this kind of work before, from Open Banking to more recent projects in public services and community infrastructure.

“We're pleased to bring that experience to this partnership, helping to build data sharing infrastructure that can deliver real benefits across the food system."

Harriet Trewin, Programme Lead (GHG) WRAP said:

"We know from working with the food sector that clear, quality and consistent environmental data is critical to enabling evidence-led business decisions to reduce environmental impacts. Lack of trust in data quality is currently a huge blocker.

“Therefore, we're delighted to be part of this important work combining agri-food knowledge with data governance and infrastructure expertise.

“The outcome of FIG will be pivotal in informing future policy development for a fair and trusted data system to support scalable communication of environmental impacts through the food system.”

Adam Short, Data Programmes Associate Director at AHDB, commented:

“This is a very welcome opportunity to help shape the development of future DSI and associated governance models, whilst ensuring the views and needs of farmers, levy-payers and the wider agriculture industry are included.

“We’re excited to leverage our experience with the Farm Data Exchange Proof of Concept project, and our ability to engage stakeholders across the industry.”

Dr. Joseph Poore, Lead Researcher at HESTIA, commented:

“The UK Government's Food Data Transparency Partnership has prioritised enabling the exchange of harmonised and reliable data in agri-food supply chains.

“This will unlock our ability for all farms, all food companies, and all consumers to know the environmental impacts of what they produce and consume. This is a vital step towards major evidence-based reductions in environmental impact.

“We are really looking forward to contributing to this project and bringing all the work we have done in this space to the table.”