The Rural Payments Agency invites applications from trade organisations for up to 50 per cent of EU funding for the marketing and promotion of agricultural products.

Marketing activities must be aimed at increasing 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 pig meat; food preparations based on these products;
• Quality poultry meat;
• Milk products;
• Olive oil and table olives;
• Wines with a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication, wines with an indication of the wine grape variety;
• Spirit drinks with a protected geographical indication;
• Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables;
• Products processed from cereals and rice;
• Fibre flax;
• Live plants and ornamental horticulture products;
• Protected designation(s) of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication(s) (PGI) or traditional specialty(ies) guaranteed (TSG) in accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 509/2006 (OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p.1) or (EC) No 510/2006 (OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p.12); and
• Organic farming products in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p.1)

Applications for funding must be with RPA by Thursday 31 March 2011.

A standard application form has been introduced by the Commission. Applicants are advised to follow it carefully and include all the details. This can be found at www.rpa.gov.uk. Please follow the links: RPA Schemes > Promotion Schemes > Third Countries Information & Promotions > Third Countries Information & Promotions – Forms.

Full details are available from RPA’s Steve Wood on 0191 2265338, Michelle Lowrey on 0191 2265656, or Joanne Jameson on 0191 226 5481; fax: 0191 2265828, or promotions@rpa.gsi.gov.uk