Rural Business Category
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Intellectual Property – help with impressing lenders
UK businesses can now benefit from a toolkit that can people understand and present the value of their Intellectual Property (IP) to potential lenders. The toolkit aims to: help lenders and businesses talk the same language when understanding the value of IP encourage and guide businesses to document their IP assets ahead of any application for finance help businesses to develop more effective IP management and commercialisation strategies raise awareness of the wide variety of finance options available for IP-rich businesses According to the Intellectual Property Office, ...
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Help stop the quagga mussel threat
Anyone who uses lakes and rivers is being urged to help slow the spread of an invasive mussel recorded in the UK for the first time this month. The quagga mussel, first spotted by Environment Agency teams carrying out water quality testing on the River Wraysbury, has now been confirmed in nine locations in the south east. To slow the spread of the species, anglers, sailors and others should use the "check, clean, dry" approach by thoroughly ...
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Fears calmed over Russian food import ban
The news that Russia has imposed a ban on food imports from the EU, US and a number of other countries, as a result of tensions over the Ukraine, should not alarm British producers. According to a government spokesman, ministers are still considering the impacts of the ban but do not expect it to have a significant overall effect on our agricultural industry. Apparently, the affected agricultural exports to Russia account for just 0.2% of the UK's ...
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Bids invited for shale gas exploration
The Government has opened the bidding process for companies seeking licences to explore for shale gas. The licences won't give absolute agreement to drill beyond the exploratory stage, as any further drilling will require planning permission plus permits from the Environment Agency and a sign-off from the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, some specific planning guidance has been prepared for: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; World Heritage Sites; National Parks; and The Broads The Department of Energy & Climate Change will ...
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Illegal fishing warning
Anglers are reminded that the coarse fish close season is in operation. Since the close season began on 16th March, Environment Agency enforcement officers have caught 11 people breaking the law and officers' activities will be stepped up over the coming Bank Holiday weekends to ensure that anglers have a valid licence and are compliant with national and local bye laws. The maximum fine for fishing during the close season is £50,000; anyone caught doing so may ...
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Flood risk deadline set for 31st July
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says its members will continue to meet their commitments to offering flood insurance for an extra month after an agreement with the Government expires on 30th June. Flood insurance for existing customers will be renewed until 31st July but according to the ABI, the current agreement is unsustainable beyond that date as it distorts competition, there being no incentive for new insurers to offer flood cover. Around one in six homes ...
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CMM Rural heads for bootcamp
CMM managing director, Graham Allen, will be in attendance at the 2013 Enviro-Entrepreneur Bootcamp, a major event hosted by the Nottingham CleanTech Centre (NCTC), for anyone with a cleantech business idea. From the 15th to 17th May, entrepreneurs, start-ups and small companies, who are developing products or businesses in the low carbon and environmental goods and services sectors, can benefit from an intense three-day programme delivered by seasoned cleantech entrepreneurs, business experts and investors. Sessions include: Clarifying your ...
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SMEs benefit from guarantee scheme boost
Small firms that lack the collateral or credit history to secure a normal bank loan should be finding access to the Government's Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme easier. The scheme provides vital funding to SMEs by backing bank lending with a 75% government guarantee. Use of the EFG peaked when it was first launched in 2009 but after disappointing figures in 2012 changes have been made to make it easier to use. In addition, the Government named and ...
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Renewable Energy Exchange launches networking events
The Feed-in Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive mean that those who invest in renewable technologies can claim payments for the electricity and heat they generate. According to the Renewable Energy Exchange (REX), the prospect of guaranteed long-term revenue streams and limited exposure to rising energy prices has already created huge interest. And now, with the upcoming Green Deal programme, there will be further financial incentives for businesses and homeowners to invest in both renewable technologies and ...
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SME cyber attacks on the rise
Research from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) shows the number of cyber attacks hitting small firms increasing over the last year. According to the study, 87% of small businesses surveyed experienced a security breach, up 10% on a year earlier. In response, the Technology Strategy Board has extended a scheme to allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for up to £5,000 to improve their cyber security. BIS is also publishing a guide to ...
