Author Archive
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Time to re-think the use of antimicrobials in animals
Experts from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have reviewed the measures taken in the EU to reduce antimicrobials use in animals and are stressing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. According to the findings, successful strategies follow an integrated, multifaceted approach which takes into account the local livestock production system and involves all relevant stakeholders — from governments to farmers.
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PM unveils plans for a Modern Industrial Strategy
Prime Minister Theresa May is today launching proposals for a modern Industrial Strategy aimed at building on Britain’s strengths and securing a future as a competitive, global nation. At the heart of the Strategy green paper, published today, is an offer to businesses to strike new “Sector Deals” to address sector-specific challenges and opportunities - ministers are prepared ...
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Scotland’s “limited partnerships” under scrutiny
A review looking at the uses of “limited partnerships” in the UK has been launched following recent allegations that some businesses registered in Scotland are being used for criminal purposes. Evidence is being gathered across the UK but with a particular focus on Scotland. Unlike those set up in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Scottish Limited Partnerships have ...
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More cybercriminals targeting UK businesses
UK business were, on average, subject to almost 230,000 cyber attacks each during 2016. According to research by internet provider, Beaming, the volume of attacks hitting individual firewalls exceeded 1,000 per day, on average, in November of last year. While a third of attacks attempted to access company databases in the first quarter of 2016, cybercriminals have since ...
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Start-up number suffer five year fall
Business start-up numbers have fallen significantly in the last five years, according to Lloyds Bank analysis - 19% fewer new businesses were launched in the UK in November 2016 compared to November 2011. Regionally, the data from BankSearch shows that Wales has seen the largest decline in start-ups, falling by over a quarter (26%).
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APHA on feeding kitchen scraps to farm animals
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is warning farmers and smallholders not to feed catering or kitchen waste to livestock such as pigs and poultry, even if they are being kept as pets. It remains illegal to feed catering waste, kitchen scraps, meat or meat products to farmed animals - this is to ...
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UK manufacturers gearing up
UK manufacturers expect 2017 to be another year of risks but at the same time are gearing up for the challenges ahead. According to the annual Executive Survey from EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, almost half of companies surveyed see more risks than opportunities in the year ahead. However, in 2017 56% of firms expect to increase their productivity and 50% ...
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£120 million support for rural communities
£120 million of funding will be made available to support farmers, grow businesses and generate jobs in rural communities in the next round of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme. According to Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, funding has already benefited dozens of businesses across England, including the Biddenden fruit handling company in Kent, which received ...
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Manufacturing PMI at 30-month high
The UK manufacturing sector ended 2016 on a positive note with rates of growth for production and new orders in December among the best seen over the past two-and-a-half years. The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a 30-month high of 56.1, up from 53.6 in November and well above its long-run average (51.5).
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Private sector growth picks up
Private sector growth picked up pace in the three months to December, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator, the final one of 2016. The survey of 788 respondents across the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors showed that growth climbed to a balance of +17%, its highest in a year.
