RPA opens second tranche of EU funding for promoting agricultural produce

Trade organisations can apply for half the cost of marketing goods at home and overseas in a scheme designed to increase sales and awareness of EU food products.

The second tranche of funding in this two-stage scheme is now open and closes on 30 September 2012.

Trade organisations representing agricultural sectors in the UK can apply for the EU funding towards promotion and information programmes for EU agricultural products in Europe and the rest of the world. The maximum funding rises to 60% for the promotion of fruit and vegetables intended specifically for children in EU schools, and for information on responsible drinking patterns and harm linked to hazardous alcohol consumption.

From this year the application process for the two schemes, one for internal markets (Europe) and another external markets (rest of the world), are combined. There are two opportunities to apply each year under both schemes, and the deadline for this second tranche is 30 September 2012.  Applicants may apply under either or both promotions schemes but cannot submit a combined application covering both schemes.

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

Eligible products include:

Internal Market Promotions

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Processed fruit and vegetables
• Fibre flax
• Live plants and products of ornamental horticulture
• Olive oil and table olives
• Seed oils
• Milk and milk products
• Fresh, chilled or frozen meat, produced in accordance with a Community or a national quality scheme.
• Marking of eggs for human consumption
• Honey and beekeeping products
• Wines with a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication, wines with an indication of the wine grape variety
• Graphic symbol for the outermost regions as laid down in agricultural legislation
• Protected designation/s of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication/s (PGI) or traditional speciality/ies guaranteed (TSG) in accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 509/2006 or (EC) No 510/2006 and products registered under these schemes
• Organic farming in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 and products registered according to that Regulation
• Poultry meat

Third Country Promotions

• Fresh, chilled and frozen beef, veal and pig meat; food preparations based on these products;
• Quality poultry meat;
• Milk products;
• Olive oil and table olives;
• Wines with a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication, wines with an indication of the wine grape variety;
• Spirit drinks with a protected geographical indication;
• Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables;
• Products processed from cereals and rice;
• Fibre flax;
• Live plants and ornamental horticulture products;
• Protected designation(s) of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication(s) (PGI) or traditional specialty(ies) guaranteed (TSG) in accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 509/2006 (OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p.1) or (EC) No 510/2006 (OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p.12); and
• Organic farming products in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p.1)

Applicants must use the European Commission’s standard application form, which can be obtained from the RPA website at rpa.defra.gov.uk . Submit them to Rural Payments Agency, Promotions Schemes, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 7YH.

Full details are available from Steve Wood on 0191 2265338 or Michelle Lowrey on 0191 226 5656, at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), or Email: promotions@rpa.gsi.gov.uk.