FDF Response to New £15 million Programme to Stimulate Food Industry Sector Growth

“Today's announcement of a £15 million investment by the Government into research and development could be of particular help to SME food and drink businesses to help them innovate and continue to invest in new research and development facilities" Angela Coleshill, FDF Director of Competitiveness, said.

March 15 2012 --- Responding to the news that the Government will be investing £15 million in new research and development projects to stimulate growth in the UK's food industries, FDF Director of Competitiveness, Angela Coleshill said:

“Today's announcement of a £15 million investment by the Government into research and development could be of particular help to SME food and drink businesses to help them innovate and continue to invest in new research and development facilities."

“Last December, we laid out our ambitious 20/20 Vision to grow our sector by 20% by 2020. Although challenging, we know that our sector not only has the appetite, but the ability to grow, particularly in a supportive business environment. Amongst other things, this funding could help businesses invest in the new infrastructure needed to meet overseas demand for great British-made brands, which in turn not only creates new jobs here in the UK, but also helps to safeguard existing ones.”

As was reported yesterday, the money is part of a Government-backed drive to support pioneering research and development that unlocks the huge potential of the UK’s farming, food and drink sector, and helps drive economic recovery.

Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice said: “The UK has a world class reputation for innovation. I want to take this strength and use it to the economic advantage of the whole country.

“That’s why the Government is investing £15 million in the development of cutting edge ideas that increase efficiency and reduce waste in farming, food and drink production and manufacturing.

“By getting businesses innovating and enhancing the UK’s reputation as a world class pioneer of new production and manufacturing techniques, the food and farming sector can be a real engine for growth.”

Two competitions will be launched at the Farming, Food and Drink Innovation Summit. Funded in combination by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Scottish Government, the aim is to help industry develop new ideas and products that improve food production and manufacturing while having less impact on the environment.

Previous recipients of this type of award include a team at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, which used ultrasound to improve the quality and nutritional value of bread and cakes while making production more energy efficient.

Up to £15 million in grants is on offer to bigger businesses to invest in projects that will increase the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of food processing and manufacturing. A further £500,000 will also be available to small and medium sized businesses, through grants of up to £25,000.

Following the summit there will be seven regional workshops across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland where businesses can find out more about the competitions and their opening dates.