News Category
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Prince’s Countryside Fund launches emergency appeal
The Prince’s Countryside Fund has launched an urgent appeal to the public to donate funds to help farmers in financial crisis throughout the UK. The charity has recently seen a rise in demand for financial help from farmers, many of whom have suffered severe losses due to heavy snowfall. Around 50,000 farm animals died as a result of last month’s snow, leaving many farmers unable to afford to dispose of carcasses. The charity has already released its emergency fund of ...
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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 ...
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The Milk Race reborn in Nottingham
Nottingham City Council has announced that The Milk Race is to make a return to the British sporting calendar after a 20-year absence. The event, which initially ran between 1958 and 1993, is being reborn as a city centre race - to take place in Nottingham on Sunday 26th May 2013. In its previous incarnation, The Milk Race was the most prestigious multi-stage event in the UK and the (now disbanded) Milk Marketing Board's 35-year sponsorship remains ...
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Defra to meet the cost of removing sheep killed in snow
Farmers in England are to be reimbursed for the cost of removing sheep killed in last month's snowfall. Defra is making up to £250,000 available to help cover the cost of removing sheep that didn't survive the freak weather. The move is the latest in a programme of support to help England's farmers, who have already been permitted to bury or burn livestock onsite. Farming Minister, David Heath, comments: "As I saw on my recent visit ...
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Maximise milk’s value or lose supplies says NFU
Dairy farmers expect forward-looking buyers to seek markets that maximise the value of milk and dairy products, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said today. Around 85% of milk procurement volume is now signed up to the Dairy Industry Code of Best Practice for Contractual Relations. In addition, major milk buyers are developing modern, dynamic milk pricing mechanisms and the general public has a much better understanding of the situation facing British farmers. According to NFU dairy board chairman, ...
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Dangerous dogs’ law changes cover attacks on private property
Powers for the police to tackle irresponsible dog owners are among legislative changes published recently in the draft Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill. The Government announced in February that it will extend legislation in England and Wales to make it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place, including all private property. The proposed new measures mean dog owners could be prosecuted if they fail to stop their dogs attacking someone on ...
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Search for the UK’s most enterprising places
A competition to find the local community which is the most creative and successful in creating new jobs, supporting start-up businesses and promoting enterprise, is now open. The "Enterprising Britain Awards" celebrate the best public and private sector work that promotes business development in communities across the UK. There are four categories in this year’s awards: The most enterprising place in the UK. The organisation that best promotes enterprise. The organisation most successful in encouraging businesses to export. The school/FE college ...
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Surveillance cameras used to combat bovine TB
Infrared surveillance cameras monitoring badger visits to cattle farms are to be used in a new study to determine the risk faced by individual farms of badgers entering buildings. Defra has announced that cameras will be installed at 75 volunteer farms across South West England and over a four week period will count the number of badger visits. The study will also determine what factors encourage badgers to visit farm buildings regularly. Badger visits to farm buildings ...
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RSA raises profile in renewables sector
RSA has raised its profile in the renewables sector by insuring the construction and the operation of the largest wind farm project in the Netherlands. Work on the Noordoostpolder Wind Farm near Emmeloord began in February and the first batch of 26 wind turbines are expected to be completed in the first half of 2014. They will have a height of 135 meters and a blade diameter of over 127 meters, making the turbines the largest of ...
