Government announces application dates for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023
Farmers can sign up for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) from 18 September. The SFI pays farmers for taking actions that support food production, farm productivity and resilience, whilst protecting and enhancing environment. The Rural Payments Agency will contact eligible farmers and land managers from 30 August with a link to a short online form they can fill in to express an interest in applying for SFI.
PM recommits UK to Net Zero by 2050 and pledges a “fairer” path to achieving target to ease the financial burden on British families
On 20 September, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, set out his new approach to Net Zero.
The Prime Minister vowed to take forward a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic path to reach net zero by 2050, reducing costs on British families while still meeting international commitments.
Read here for more information on what this new approach to Net Zero means for you.
The Food Data Transparency Partnership team would like to hear from SMEs
The Defra Food Data Transparency Partnership (FDTP) team would like to hear about the experiences of SMEs in relation to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting and eco-labelling, to inform our policy development.
We would like to hear from you if you are an SME or an organisation representing SMEs. We are interested in hearing about whether you (or your SME members) are currently measuring your GHG emissions (scopes 1, 2 or 3). If you (or your members) are not currently measuring your GHG emissions, what are the main reasons for this? If you (or your members) are currently measuring your GHG emissions, we are interested in hearing what the main sources of support and guidance are that you are accessing to help with this. What additional types of additional support, guidance or resources would you find helpful? In addition, if you are an organisation representing SMEs we’d be interested to hear what proportion of your SME members use eco-labels to identify products as environmentally sustainable, or using similar approaches such as branding, packaging design or other packaging information to do so.
Please do share your responses with the FDTP team by emailing FoodDataTransparencyPartnership@defra.gov.uk by Monday 16 October
Two weeks until the new single-use plastic ban
From 1 October 2023, there will be additional bans and restrictions on single-use plastic items. Further guidance for businesses on the new regulations can be found on Gov.uk. You can also download the poster to find out more.
Applications start for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023
The new and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has started to accept applications.
Cumbria LSIP
As part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is holding a food and drink focus group on 10th October from 1pm to 3pm (lunch will be provided).
This is your chance to have your voice heard and inspire change around skills provision within the county for your sector.
For further information and to book your place please contact Irene Mickiewicz (irene@cumbriachamber.co.uk ) or Kevin Warman (kevin@cumbriachamber.co.uk)