Environment Secretary commits to sustainable horticulture growth
To kickstart efforts to grow the horticulture sector and boost domestic production, the Environment Secretary committed a further £12.5m investment in automation and robotics through the Farming Innovation Programme, on top of more than £70 million spent so far on industry-led research and development.
Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT): Reusable plastic crates and transport packaging
After reviewing information received from industry regarding reusable plastic crates, HMRC have determined that reusable plastic crates fall within the definition of transport packaging.
This means they are exempt from PPT when imported filled with goods into the UK. These items are not exempt from PPT when they are manufactured in the UK or imported unfilled. Updated guidance reflecting the position on reusable plastic crates can be found on GOV.UK.
If you have previously accounted for reusable plastic crates on a PPT return where they were used to import goods into the UK, you will be able to amend your return by signing into your Plastic Packaging Account and selecting ‘View or amend submitted returns’. If you are due a repayment as a result of this, you can request one online via Submit your Plastic Packaging Tax return – GOV.UK
Energy Bill Relief Scheme: eligibility updates
The scheme will be available to everyone on a non-domestic contract, including those on existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 December 2021. See here for more details.
International Trade Week: 31 October – 4 November
The Department for International Trade are hosting a series of events to celebrate International Trade week from Monday 31 October to Friday 4 November. For more details and to register for events please see here.
Air and water quality advice now available to all farmers in England
Farmers across England are now able to benefit from the advice of Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) advisers following the expansion of the programme. Local Catchment Sensitive Farming advisers provide confidential on-farm support and advice across the farming community to encourage uptake of new and existing agricultural schemes and help farmers comply with regulation to deliver environmental gains.
Guardians of Grub
The Hospitality and Food Service team within the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are pleased to announce that the first social media channels for the Guardians of Grub campaign went live on 4 October on Facebook and Instagram. The new channels will play an integral role to get more HaFS businesses measuring, reporting and reducing food waste, which is needed to achieve the Courtauld 2030 targets.
Sector-Based Work Academy Programme
Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAPS). This scheme helps businesses recruit trained staff through fully-funded pre-employment training and work experience in England and Scotland.
Rural England Prosperity Fund
Keep an eye out for more information over the coming months. There are expected to be general capital grants for any business sector – launch is expected in April 2023 for a two year period.
Financial help to farming industry announced
The Rural Payments Agency has published the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlement rates.
The BPS is a rural payment that provides financial help to the farming industry. From this year, BPS payments are going to be made in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period to help farmers with their cashflow. Around 50% of the overall payment amounting to over £679m was issued in the summer, with the remaining balance expected to be paid from December.
For 2022, BPS payment rates for England are set in Sterling. These are the same rates as for 2021 and were used to calculate the BPS 2022 advances issued earlier this year.
Earlier this month, the government announced up to £110 million funding for rural businesses such as farms, wedding venues and pubs to support countryside communities. The Rural England Prosperity Fund will be delivered by eligible councils and will be based on local priorities and support investment in projects such as grants for:
- Converting farm buildings to other business uses.
- Rural tourism, such as investments in visitor accommodation.
- Capital grants for provision of gigabit-capable digital infrastructure at hubs such as village halls, pubs and post offices for community use.
- Capital grants to develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and site.
- Creation of new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need, or capital grants to enable people to develop volunteering and social action projects locally.
Delay of 1 October deadline for food labelling rules
In line with protecting consumers from unnecessary costs, the UK Government is extending the period during which some EU labelling terms are still permitted on the GB market from 1 October 2022, to 31 December 2023.
More details can be found here.
How digital technologies can drive the future
The number of bakery manufacturers around the UK is growing, and their owners are looking toward innovative technologies to make them a cut above the rest. In the latest blog from Made Smarter, they explore the digital tools with the power to unlock many business benefits for bakeries, including added traceability and compliance – a prominent topic in the industry following the introduction of Natasha’s Law. They also cover the support available to help implement them.
Click here to read more.