Member Article

£15m investment in food industry research and development

The Government is set to invest £15m in new research and development projects and studies that will stimulate innovation and growth in the UK’s food industries.

Money will go towards R&D projects that increase the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the food processing and manufacturing sector.

A further £500,000 is to be targeted at SMEs, to provide feasibility studies that will consider better and more cost effective systems and processes, and the delivery of better products and services across the broader agri-food sector.

Jim Paice, Food and Farming Minister, 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.”

The Food Processing and Manufacturing Efficiency competition for collaborative R&D funding will be managed by he Technology Strategy Board, in partnership with Defra, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Government.

Proposals for business led projects will need to secure industrial leadership from the food processing, manufacturing, distribution, retail or food service sectors, rather than those inolved in primary production.

The Innovation for Growth in Agriculture, Food and Drink competition for feasibility study funding will offer grants of up to £25,000 and will be available for feasibility studies that will support the rapid development of an innovative idea and demonstrate its practical feasibility.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: “There are tremendous opportunities for UK businesses to develop technologies and innovative systems that can improve the competitive position of the food and drink manufacturing sector, which has a turnover of over £75 billion a year, and to help grow the British economy.

“We will be seeking proposals for projects and feasibility studies that will deliver innovation and technological advances throughout the UK’s food and drink supply chain, creating opportunities for the export of goods and services to the wider global agri-food industry.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .