The Rural Payments Agency has opened a second tranche of EU funding for promoting agricultural produce.
Ithas told trade organisations they can apply for half the cost of marketing produce in the UK and overseas in a scheme designed to increase sales and awareness of EU products.
The second tranche of funding in this two-stage scheme opened this week and closes on 30 September 2012.
Crop associations and trade bodies can apply for the EU funding towardspromotion and information programmes for EU products in Europe and the rest of the world. The maximum funding rises to 60 per cent for the promotion of fruit and vegetables intended specifically for children in EU schools.
From this year the application process for the two schemes, one for internal markets (Europe) and another for external markets (rest of the world), are combined. There are two opportunities to apply each year under both schemes, and the deadline for this second tranche is 30 September. Applicants may apply under either or both promotions schemes but cannot submit a combined application covering both schemes.
The RPA said in a statement it expects bodies to fund at least a 20 per cent of the total cost of the programme and can choose either to pay the remaining balance themselves or to finance it by industry levy.
