RPA opens bids for cash to promote EU farm products

New first deadline this year 15th April 2012

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 in Europe and the rest of the world, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) announced today (21st February).

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% 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 will be two opportunities to apply each year under both schemes. The deadline for the first tranche is 15 April 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.