Rural Business Category
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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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Growth vouchers to give micro business boost
The Government is promising to helping thousands more new businesses get off the ground by expanding its Start-Up loan scheme and opening up further the £230 billion worth of public sector contracts to the smallest firms. The scheme helps with the development of business ideas by providing a typical loan of £4,500 with mentoring support. Since the autumn, it has made 3,768 loans worth around £16 million and according to enterprise adviser, Lord Young, many of ...
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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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Dairy Fund grant application deadline approaches
England's dairy farmers are reminded that they have until 17:00 on 3rd June 2013 to apply for funding for projects aimed at delivering "transformational" changes to their businesses. Part of the Rural Development Programme for England, the Fund is providing grants from £25,000 to around £1 million to encourage the establishment, development or expansion of co-operation structures and structures that will improve profitability. The main objectives are to strengthen connections with existing markets; enable dairy farmers to explore and ...
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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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Rural broadband fund launched
Businesses in England’s remotest spots could benefit from superfast internet as the third round of the £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund opens today. The fund aims to help rural communities with limited or no internet to access superfast broadband, giving rural businesses a greater opportunity to profit and grow. Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, comments: “By getting people better connected, the Government’s £20 million broadband fund will give businesses and a boost and benefit the local economy.” The ...
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Wales drives up food hygiene standards
The Welsh Assembly’s Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013 will see Wales become the first country in the UK to introduce a mandatory scheme requiring food businesses to openly display their hygiene ratings. Having already received the Royal Assent, it will require food businesses to display their food hygiene ratings - from between 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good), based on their compliance with food law requirements. The scheme will come into operation later this ...
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Latest bute test results on horse carcasses
In the wake of the horse meat contamination scandal, the Food Standards Agency has reported that tests on the presence of phenylbutazone (bute) in horses slaughtered in the UK found that eight out of 203 carcases tested positive for the drug, which should not enter the human food chain. Of these eight, six were sent to France and may have entered the food chain. They were slaughtered by LJ Potter Partners at Stillman’s (Somerset) Ltd, Taunton. The ...
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New money for workforce training
Businesses across all sectors and of all sizes can now apply for a share of up to £240 million of government money to create training programmes that address their skills needs. The Employer Ownership Pilot (EOP) has already committed around £90 million to projects ranging from helping young people into work by delivering pre-employment training, to extending apprenticeships and training to supply chains. Applications are now open for the second round and will close on 28th March. Skills ...
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EFSA identifies risks to bees from neonicotinoids
Scientists at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have identified a number of risks posed to bees by three neonicotinoid insecticides. The Authority was asked by the European Commission to assess the risks associated with the use of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam as seed treatment or as granules, with particular regard to: their acute and chronic effects on bee colony survival and development; their effects on bee larvae and bee behaviour; and the risks posed by ...
