In 2014, the UK Plant Sciences Federation published the results of the first ever analysis of activities across the UK's plant science sector.

The report, UK Plant Science: Current status and future challenges reveals that the UK's position as a world leader in plant science is under threat from a shortage of funding and a lack of stable investment in essential skills. It lays out urgent actions needed to ensure the UK can respond to significant global challenges such as guaranteeing food security, coping with the threats from climate change, protecting biodiversity, and improving human health.

As follow up, the UKPSF established working groups to take forward specific priorities identified in the report. Working groups focus on:

1. Training and skills
2. Translation
3. Funding
4. Regulation