RPA opens bid for cash to promote and inform on EU agricultural products
Trade organisations representing agricultural sectors in the UK have a fresh chance to apply for EU funding towards promotion and information programmes for EU agricultural products.
Producers of one or more of the products listed below may 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 percent 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.
The application process for the two schemes, one for internal markets (EU countries) and another 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. There are two opportunities to apply each year under both schemes. However, preparation of an application may start at any time of the year provided that the deadlines are respected. It is also essential to take into account any regulatory and other changes which may be introduced. The next deadlines are:
- 15 April 2014
- 30 September 2014
Applicants are expected to fund at least a 20 percent 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
- Products covered by the schemes for protected designations of origin (PDO), protected geographical indications (PGI), traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG) or optional quality terms in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p.1).
- Organic farming in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 and products registered according to that Regulation
- Sheep 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;
- Products covered by the schemes for protected designations of origin (PDO), protected geographical indications (PGI), or traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG) in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council; and
- Organic farming products in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p.1)
- Sheep meat
