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6 April 2005, Ref 17/05:

Funds Available for the Promotion of Certain Agricultural Products of EU Origin

EU funding is available to trade organisations for promotional measures that are aimed at increasing the information on, and sales of, certain agricultural products of EU origin in specified non-EU countries.

Eligible products include:

  • Fresh, chilled and frozen beef, veal and pigmeat; food preparations based on these products;
  • Quality poultrymeat;
  • Milk products;
  • Olive oil and table olives;
  • Table wines with a geographical indication. Quality wines produced in specified regions (psr);
  • Spirit drinks with a geographical indication or a reserved traditional description;
  • Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables;
  • Products processed from cereals and rice; and
  • Fibre flax.
  • Live plants and products of ornamental horticulture
  • Products with a protected designation of origin (PDO), a protected geographical indication (PGI) or a traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), in accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 2081/92 (OJ L 208, 24.7. 1992, p.1.) or (EC) No 2082/92 (OJ L 208, 24.7.1992, p. 9)
  • Products from organic farming, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1)

    Full details are available from Helen Fenwick on 0191 226 5156, Steve Wood on 0191 226 5338, or Michelle Lowrey on 0191 226 5656.

    Email: promotions@rpa.gsi.gov.uk

    Alternatively, enquiries may be faxed to (0191) 226 5040.

    Applications for funding must be with RPA by 29 April 2005.



    END

    Notes to Editors

    1. The Rural Payments Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and for administering certain schemes throughout the UK.

    2. Three bound copies plus one unbound copy of each application must arrive at the Rural Payments Agency by 29 April 2005. Applications submitted after this date cannot be considered.

    3. Council Regulation (EC) 2702/1999 and Commission Regulation (EC) 2879/2000 (as amended) set out the eligible programmes and conditions which have to be met to qualify for aid funding.

    4. The Commission has stated a clear preference for those programmes involving more than one Member State and a group of products. For those programmes concerning a single Member State or product, preference will be given to those programmes which place particular emphasis on the Community interest as a whole, particularly with regard to safety and quality.

    5. For these applications, funds may be made available from the EU Commission in Brussels for scheme measures with an expected start date of October 2005 onwards.

    6. Promotion measures shall cover one or more of the following measures:

    • Public relations, promotional or publicity measures, in particular highlighting the advantages of Community products, especially in terms of quality, hygiene, food safety, nutrition, labelling, animal welfare or environment- friendliness;
    • Participation at events, fairs or exhibitions of international importance, especially through the provision of Community exhibition stands;
    • Information campaigns on the Community system of quality wines produced in specified regions (QWPSR), table wines and spirit drinks with a geographical indication;
    • Studies of new markets, necessary for the expansion of market outlets;
    • Studies to evaluate the results of the promotional and information measures.

      7. Eligible trade or inter-trade organisations applying for funding must:

      • Be able to fund at least 20 percent of the contribution themselves, but may fund up to 50 percent. Up to 30 percent of the financing may be borne by the Member State. However the Proposing Organisation and/or Member State may use parafiscal charges or compulsory contributions for payment of their share;
      • Have its registered place of business in a Member State of the Community;
      • Have the legal and practical ability to supervise the planned promotion activity and must propose an organisation with the practical ability to implement the planned promotional activities;
      • Undertake to promote products produced in the Community without favouring regions, individual brands, trademarks or companies.

        8. Applications will be selected by the EU Commission in accordance with the regulatory selection procedure.

        9. For further information: Penny Corkish on 0118 953 1746.


        SUMMARY NOTE

        Funding – quasi-tax revenue:

        The regulation requires tri-partide financing, the split being Commission 50 percent; trade 30 percent; the Member States 20 percent. Due to the very tight financial constraints imposed on the CAP, the UK has no funds available to finance the required Member State contribution of any promotional measures agreed. However, there is provision in Article 9.3 of Regulation (EC) 2702/1999 for the 20 percent Member State’s contribution to be met by quasi-tax revenue, i.e. one of the UK’s levy funded bodies.

        Funding – programmes of manifest Community interest:

        Further provision is made in Regulation 2702/1999 Article 9.3, that where justified and provided that the programme is of Community interest, it may be decided, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11 of Regulation 2702/1999 that the proposing organisation will be responsible for all the financing not supplied by the Community. This provision can only be used in exceptional cases, such as a crisis situation within a particular sector.

        List of products that may be covered by promotion measures in third countries:

        • Fresh, chilled and frozen beef, veal and pigmeat; food preparations based on these products;
        • Quality poultry meat;
        • Milk products;
        • Olive oil and table olives;
        • Table wines with a geographical indication. Quality wines psr;
        • Spirit drinks with a geographical indication or a reserved traditional description;
        • Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables;
        • Products processed from cereals and rice; and
        • Fibre flax.
        • Live plants and products of ornamental horticulture
        • Products with a protected designation of origin (PDO), a protected geographical indication (PGI) or a traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), in accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 2081/92 (OJ L 208, 24.7. 1992, p.1.) or (EC) No 2082/92 (OJ L 208, 24.7.1992, p. 9)
        • Products from organic farming, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1)

          List of third countries where promotion measures may be carried out:

          • Switzerland
          • Norway
          • Romania
          • Bulgaria
          • Russia
          • Japan
          • China
          • South Korea
          • Croatia
          • Serbia and Montenegro
          • Turkey
          • South-East Asia
          • India
          • Middle East
          • North Africa
          • Ukraine
          • Republic of South Africa
          • North America
          • Latin America
          • Australia and New Zealand
          • Bosnia and Herzegovina
          • Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

          • Page published: 6 January 2006