2 Sisters Food Group Advances Sustainability with UK Feed Shift

M&S commits £53 million to cut farm emissions by 2035

Marks & Spencer has announced a major investment programme targeting agricultural emissions across its food supply chain. Working with 2 Sisters Food Group, the retailer plans to eliminate soy-based poultry feed and move all UK suppliers to regenerative farming by 2030. The initiative involves £53 million in direct support, monitoring systems, and innovation funding.

For UK businesses that supply into retail food chains, these commitments signal a fundamental shift in procurement expectations. Regenerative agriculture, carbon measurement, and supply chain traceability are moving from voluntary initiatives to baseline requirements. Consequently, farms and food producers face new reporting obligations and operational changes within defined timescales.

Agriculture accounts for over 70% of M&S’s food emissions. The company sources from more than 10,000 British farms, making this supply network central to its net zero strategy. This initiative demonstrates how large retailers are pushing decarbonisation deep into primary production, rather than focusing solely on their own operations.

£14 million directed to on-farm measurement and tools

M&S has committed £14 million in direct farmer support over the coming years. This funding covers soil monitoring equipment and digital measurement tools. These systems help farms track environmental performance and identify emission reduction opportunities. Additionally, the retailer is providing £2.5 million over five years through its Plan A Accelerator Fund to finance innovation projects across the food supply chain.

The investment reflects a practical reality. Farmers cannot reduce emissions they cannot measure. Therefore, M&S is funding the infrastructure required to establish baseline data and monitor progress. The programme includes partnerships with Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), the Soil Association Exchange, and Sustainable Soils Management. Together, these organisations are providing 50 farms with comprehensive environmental monitoring packages.

This approach addresses a significant barrier for smaller producers. Many lack the capital or technical expertise to implement measurement systems independently. By funding this infrastructure, M&S enables suppliers to meet emerging reporting requirements without bearing the full cost themselves. However, participating farms must commit to using the data to drive operational changes.

The digital tools provided include soil health analysis, carbon footprint calculators, and biodiversity assessments. These systems generate the evidence needed for carbon reporting under frameworks such as PPN 06/21. For businesses supplying public sector contracts, this type of environmental data is increasingly mandatory.

All UK suppliers must adopt regenerative practices by 2030

M&S has set a firm deadline. All UK-based suppliers must implement regenerative agricultural practices by 2030. This requirement covers the entire network of more than 10,000 farms that supply the retailer. Regenerative agriculture goes beyond reducing harm. It focuses on actively improving soil health, restoring biodiversity, managing water resources, and reducing synthetic pesticide use.

The commitment forms part of M&S’s Select Farm Programme, which establishes environmental standards across its agricultural supply base. Farms must demonstrate progress across multiple indicators, not simply carbon reduction. This includes wildlife habitat creation, soil organic matter improvement, and water quality protection. Suppliers face regular audits and must provide documented evidence of their regenerative practices.

For farmers, this represents a significant operational shift. Many conventional agricultural systems prioritise yield maximisation through intensive inputs. Regenerative approaches often require reduced tillage, cover cropping, diverse rotations, and integrated pest management. These changes can affect short-term productivity and require new skills and equipment. Nevertheless, M&S views this transition as essential to securing long-term food production resilience.

The 2030 deadline creates a clear planning horizon. Suppliers have approximately six years to redesign farming systems, acquire necessary equipment, and train staff. For businesses currently operating conventional systems, this timeline demands immediate action. Transitioning to regenerative agriculture typically takes several growing seasons to achieve measurable results, meaning delays compound rapidly.

Poultry feed switching from soy to UK-grown alternatives

The partnership with 2 Sisters Food Group specifically targets poultry production. M&S and Co-op, both major customers of 2 Sisters, are backing a £53 million programme to replace soy-based feed with domestically sourced UK alternatives by 2035. This change addresses two concerns simultaneously: imported soy carries high embedded emissions and deforestation risk, while UK agricultural sectors need new markets for protein crops.

Soy production, particularly from South America, is linked to deforestation and long-distance transportation emissions. By switching to UK-grown protein sources such as beans, peas, and rapeseed meal, the retailers aim to cut supply chain emissions substantially. Moreover, this shift supports British agriculture by creating demand for alternative protein crops that farmers can integrate into rotation systems.

The transition requires significant infrastructure investment. UK production of alternative protein feeds must scale up considerably to meet poultry industry demand. Processing facilities need expansion, and logistics networks require reconfiguration. The £53 million investment funds this infrastructure development, alongside on-farm support for growers who switch to protein crop production.

For poultry producers in the M&S and Co-op supply chains, this change is non-negotiable. Feed represents a major production cost, and switching suppliers or ingredients affects bird performance, meat quality, and operational efficiency. Producers must work closely with nutritionists to reformulate feed recipes, conduct trials, and monitor bird health throughout the transition. Therefore, the 2035 deadline allows time for phased implementation and adjustment.

Programme targets beef, lamb, dairy, pork, eggs, and chicken

M&S’s Farm of the Future programme extends beyond poultry. Developed in collaboration with Harper Adams University, it works directly with beef, lamb, dairy, chicken, pork, and egg producers. The programme identifies commercially viable system changes that reduce emissions without destroying farm profitability. This practical focus acknowledges that farms are businesses that must remain financially sustainable while improving environmental performance.

Each livestock sector faces distinct challenges. Beef and lamb produce significant methane emissions from enteric fermentation. Dairy operations must balance milk yield with greenhouse gas output. Pork production generates emissions from manure management and feed production. Egg production systems vary widely in intensity and environmental impact. Consequently, the programme tailors interventions to sector-specific circumstances rather than applying generic solutions.

The university partnership provides scientific rigour and on-farm testing. Researchers work with producers to trial new practices, measure results, and refine approaches based on real-world performance. This iterative process helps identify which interventions deliver measurable emission reductions while maintaining or improving productivity. The findings then inform wider rollout across the M&S supply base.

For suppliers, participation offers access to expertise and funding that would otherwise be unaffordable. However, it also establishes expectations. Farms that join the programme commit to implementing recommended changes and sharing performance data. This transparency allows M&S to demonstrate supply chain progress towards its net zero commitments while building an evidence base for wider industry adoption.

Essential details for UK food producers and suppliers

• M&S requires all UK suppliers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices by 2030, affecting over 10,000 farms across its food supply network.
• The retailer is providing £14 million for soil monitoring and digital environmental measurement tools, plus £2.5 million over five years for innovation projects through its Plan A Accelerator Fund.
• Poultry feed must transition from soy-based ingredients to UK-sourced alternatives by 2035 under the partnership with 2 Sisters Food Group, backed by M&S and Co-op.
• Agriculture generates more than 70% of M&S food emissions, making primary production the critical focus for the retailer’s net zero strategy.
• M&S operates within a comprehensive net zero framework targeting 2040 across its entire value chain, with science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2022.
• All food suppliers must commit to net zero targets aligned with 1.5°C climate science, achieve 100% renewable electricity purchasing, and source deforestation-free animal feed.
• The Farm of the Future programme provides beef, lamb, dairy, chicken, pork, and egg producers with support to identify commercially viable emission reduction measures.

Retail net zero strategies reshape supplier requirements

This programme demonstrates how major retailers are translating their own net zero commitments into enforceable supplier obligations. M&S validated its science-based targets with the Science Based Targets initiative in 2022, committing to reach net zero across its entire value chain by 2040. Achieving this goal requires transforming agricultural supply chains, which generate the majority of the retailer’s Scope 3 emissions.

For suppliers, these commitments create both pressure and support. On one hand, farms must invest in new systems, measurement tools, and practices to meet retailer requirements. On the other hand, M&S is providing funding, technical support, and long-term purchase commitments that help justify these investments. The relationship represents a shift from transactional procurement towards deeper collaboration on shared environmental goals.

Other retailers are implementing similar programmes. Consequently, farms supplying multiple customers may face overlapping or conflicting requirements. Different retailers may use different measurement methodologies, prioritise different environmental indicators, or set different timescales. For producers, navigating these varying demands while maintaining operational efficiency represents a significant management challenge.

The trend extends beyond retail. Public sector procurement increasingly requires carbon reporting and environmental commitments. Our net zero programme for carbon reporting compliance helps businesses meet PPN 06/21 requirements and similar frameworks. Meanwhile, private sector supply chains are tightening sustainability criteria in response to investor pressure and regulatory developments. Therefore, farms and food producers face mounting pressure from multiple directions to measure and reduce environmental impact.

Carbon measurement infrastructure remains a barrier

Despite growing requirements, many agricultural businesses lack the systems needed to measure their carbon footprint accurately. Farms often operate with limited administrative capacity, making detailed environmental monitoring difficult. Moreover, agricultural emissions are complex to calculate. They involve multiple sources including livestock, machinery, fertiliser production and application, land use change, and purchased inputs.

M&S’s investment in measurement infrastructure addresses this barrier directly. However, not all suppliers will receive this support. Smaller producers or those outside major retailer supply chains must fund their own measurement systems. For these businesses, accessing affordable tools and expertise becomes critical to meeting emerging market expectations.

Several practical options exist. Farm carbon calculators are available from organisations including NFU and AHDB. These tools provide baseline assessments that help identify major emission sources. For more detailed analysis, accredited consultants can conduct comprehensive carbon audits. Additionally, training on Scope 3 emissions and supply chain reporting helps businesses understand their obligations and options.

Measurement serves two purposes. First, it establishes baseline data against which progress can be tracked. Second, it identifies hotspots where targeted interventions deliver maximum impact. Without accurate measurement, emission reduction efforts lack direction and verification becomes impossible. Consequently, investing in measurement systems should precede major operational changes.

Regenerative agriculture demands operational restructuring

Transitioning to regenerative agriculture involves more than adopting individual practices. It requires rethinking entire farm systems. Conventional intensive agriculture typically maximises output through high external inputs and simplified rotations. Regenerative approaches prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function, accepting that short-term yields may decrease while building long-term resilience.

Key practices include minimising soil disturbance through reduced or no-till systems. Cover crops protect soil between cash crops, prevent erosion, and build organic matter. Diverse rotations break pest and disease cycles while improving soil structure. Integrating livestock with cropping systems recycles nutrients and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Hedgerows, margins, and in-field habitats support beneficial insects and wildlife.

These changes require new equipment, knowledge, and risk tolerance. No-till systems need specialised seeders. Cover cropping adds cost and management complexity. Diverse rotations may include crops with which the farmer has limited experience. Integrated systems demand careful planning to balance livestock and cropping enterprises. Furthermore, the transition period often involves yield reduction before soil health improvements deliver benefits.

For farms supplying M&S, support is available through the Select Farm Programme and Plan A Accelerator Fund. Nevertheless, producers must commit to the transition and accept that results emerge over multiple seasons. Financial pressure may tempt farms to delay changes, but the 2030 deadline leaves limited room for procrastination. Farms that begin now can phase changes across different fields, spreading risk while learning what works in their specific circumstances.

Supply chain transparency expectations are rising rapidly

M&S requires suppliers to source deforestation-free animal feed and achieve 100% renewable electricity purchasing. These obligations extend beyond the farm gate into the inputs supply chain. Farmers must verify the origin of purchased feed, ensuring it meets environmental standards. Similarly, electricity contracts must demonstrate renewable sourcing, typically through Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin certificates.

This level of scrutiny represents a significant administrative burden for smaller operations. Verifying feed origins requires documentation from suppliers, who may source ingredients from multiple origins. Tracking renewable electricity involves understanding complex energy market mechanisms. Moreover, suppliers must retain evidence to satisfy audit requirements. For businesses accustomed to focusing purely on production, these administrative obligations represent unfamiliar territory.

The trend reflects growing pressure on large companies to demonstrate supply chain sustainability. Investors, regulators, and consumers increasingly demand evidence that environmental claims rest on verifiable data. Consequently, retailers push transparency requirements down the supply chain, and farms become responsible for proving the sustainability credentials of their inputs.

For businesses facing these requirements, robust record-keeping becomes essential. Retain purchasing documentation, energy bills, audit reports, and certification records. Implement systems to track inputs from receipt through use. Ensure staff understand documentation requirements and maintain records consistently. When audits occur, comprehensive records demonstrate compliance and avoid potential disqualification from supply contracts.

Official resources for agricultural sustainability planning

Businesses seeking detailed guidance on agricultural sustainability and carbon reduction can access several authoritative resources. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides policy frameworks and funding information relevant to agricultural emissions reduction.

The Environment Agency offers regulatory guidance on emissions reporting, environmental permitting, and compliance obligations for agricultural operations. Their publications explain legal requirements and available support schemes.

For practical farming guidance, AHDB provides sector-specific resources covering carbon measurement, regenerative practices, and efficiency improvements across livestock and cropping systems. Their tools include calculators, case studies, and technical guides developed through industry research.

Businesses requiring support with carbon measurement and reporting can explore our ESG compliance and carbon reporting services, which help SMEs navigate regulatory requirements and supply chain obligations. Understanding these requirements early allows businesses to plan transitions effectively rather than responding reactively to customer demands or regulatory deadlines.