Farming Innovation Programme: Large R&D Partnerships Round 3
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £7.8 million for large R&D partnership projects, from the industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund. This is part of the Farming Innovation Programme. The competition opens on Monday 15 January and closes on Wednesday 13 March.
Emergency pesticide authorisation
Emergency pesticide authorisation to protect sugar beet crop has been conditionally approved. The pesticide will only be used if there is a danger to the crop. Stringent controls are attached to protect the environment. Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, recognises the damaging impact that an outbreak of beet yellow virus could have on farmer livelihoods. This decision is based on robust scientific assessment and the risks have been evaluated very carefully.
Critical imports and supply chains strategy
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, safeguarding UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors.
Proposed changes to egg labelling rules support British industry
On 9 January, the Government announced that producers will no longer need to change how eggs are labelled during an outbreak of avian influenza under proposals planned to support British farmers. The proposals for England and Scotland announced today – subject to an eight-week consultation – will amend the Regulations to remove the ‘derogation’ period, meaning that free-range eggs can stay labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.
The consultation will close on 5 March 2024.
Updates for the Controlled Environment Horticulture sector
Following last year’s Farm to Fork commitments, Defra has helped secure CEH sector eligibility to Phase 3 of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support energy security and the transition to renewables. Defra has also published a foresight and review on the UK CEH sector underpinning our long-term policy making in the area. Read here for a recent summary of updates, open consultations, and wider ongoing work.
Mexican market opens doors for British pork offal
British pork exporters are set to benefit from additional trade with Mexico with the market opening further to include offal with a potential estimated value of £18m over the next five years.
Made Smarter Food and Drink Demonstration Day
Innovate UK KTN’s AgriFood team has partnered with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru to host a Food and Drink demonstration day for a cohort of up to 15 SMEs. This event will be delivered as part of the Made Smarter programme, a government backed initiative created to help the UK realise its digitalisation ambition.
The event is hosted in Chester on 27 February, 9:00-15:30.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have announced major updates to farming schemes, with an increase in funding and a change in rules.
New farming schemes pay farmers to take actions that boost sustainable food production while delivering positive outcomes for the environment. The schemes are designed to work for all farm types and sizes.
The application process will also be simplified in 2024 by enabling farmers to apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier through a single application.