A new LINK programme, which will provide grant-aid for research into non-food uses of crops and renewable materials, was launched today by Food and Farming Minister, Lord Bach.

Speaking at the National Non-Food Crop Centre's (NNFCC) conference 'The Green Supply Chain 2005', Lord Bach said:

"From renewable fuels to starch based plastics, from bio-lubricants to plant based pharmaceuticals, the list of renewable products and their uses continues to grow. But, there are areas where the development of crop based products is at an earlier stage of evolution or has come up against barriers. Building a competitive new industry is a major undertaking. The three main challenges are:

• to raise awareness and develop markets based on robust supply chains;

• to pull innovation through to commercial application with crop based products competing effectively on cost as well as environmental grounds; and

• to turn crops into products that industry wants to make, and that people want to buy.

"I am pleased to announce that Defra is today launching a new LINK programme in conjunction with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences research Council (BBSRC). This programme, devoted to renewable materials, will provide grant-aid to private sector-led collaborative research. This fulfils an action from our strategy for non-food crops and we hope interested parties will contact Defra with proposals."

He reiterated the Government's commitment to the development of a competitive non-food crop sector. He congratulated NNFCC on their excellent progress with building links between agriculture, science and industry and their endeavours to develop the non-food crops supply chain.

He also presented the 2005 Home Grown Cereal Association (HGCA) 'What's the alternative?' Enterprise Awards. These awards recognise the achievements of successful companies in creating new and innovative demand for UK cereals and oilseeds in the non-food sector.

BACKGROUND

1. National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) was launched in November 2003. It provides the UK's independent and authoritative source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies. The primary function of the NNFCC is to derive, maintain and disseminate data on the non-food uses of crops and to help turn ideas into successful products and supply chains. The NNFCC advises the UK Government on the environmental, social and economic implications of the non-food applications of crops.

2. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK's principal funder of basic and strategic biological research. To deliver its mission, BBSRC supports research and research training in universities and research centres throughout the UK, including BBSRC -sponsored institutes; and promotes knowledge transfer from research to applications in business, industry and policy, and public engagement in the biosciences. For more information see: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/.

3. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) is an executive non-departmental public body set up under the Cereals Marketing Act 1965 to improve the production and marketing of home-grown cereals and oilseeds. The HGCA Enterprise Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to stimulate new demand for cereals and oilseeds. The awards, which are open to businesses using cereals and oilseeds directly and indirectly, are divided into two categories - 'Food and Drink' and 'What's the Alternative?' Further information can be found at: http://www.hgca.com/enterprise

4. The Strategy for Non-Food Crops - owned jointly by Defra and Dti was launched in November 2004. Further information can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk

5. Renewable Materials LINK Programme aims to provide funding for high quality, innovative, pre-competitive research that enhances the non-food uses of renewable materials for sustainable development, which can be readily exploited by the private sector. The Programme encourages the exchange of knowledge between the private sector and the research based in furthering the non-food uses of renewable materials to support sustainable development. For more information, see http://www.defra.gov.uk or contact the Programme Secretariat at renewablematerials.link@defra.gsi.gov.uk.