New opportunity for trade organisations to apply for funding towards promotion and information programmes for agricultural products

Producers of a wide range of products, including fruit and vegetables, meat and eggs, can apply for up to half the cost of marketing their goods abroad in a scheme designed to raise awareness and increase sales of EU food products.

The maximum rises to 60 per cent for the promotion of fruit and vegetables intended specifically for EU schools, and for information on responsible drinking patterns and harm linked to hazardous alcohol consumption.

The application process for the two schemes, one for internal markets (EU countries) and another for external markets (rest of the world), is combined.

Applicants may apply under either or both promotions schemes but cannot submit a combined application covering both schemes. Preparation of an application may start at any time of the year provided that the deadlines are respected and the next deadline is 28 February 2015.

Applicants are expected to fund at least a 20 per cent of the total cost of the programme and can choose either to pay the remaining balance themselves or to finance it by industry levy.

Each application for funding in the next round must arrive at the Rural Payments Agency by 28 February 2015. Applications submitted after this date cannot be considered. Applicants must use the European Commission’s standard application form, which can be obtained from the Rural Payments Agency pages of the (www.gov.uk) website. The full link is www.gov.uk/promotion-schemes-for-agricultural-products.

Full details are available from Steve Wood on 0191 226 5338 at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), or email: trader@rpa.gsi.gov.uk.

For further details and guidance on Promotions schemes please refer to the Rural Payments Agency pages of the www.gov.uk website.