EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
BERR: The reigning champion of the Enterprising Britain competition, Scarborough, is celebrating again after being named the most enterprising place in Europe at this year's European Enterprise Awards. Run by the European Commission, the Awards saw Scarborough take the Grand Jury Prize, making it the overall winner, and in the jury's view, the most creative & inspiring entrepreneurship initiative in Europe.
The seaside town was up against the best of European enterprise, including Finland's capital city, Helsinki; Spain's second biggest port, Valencia; and Liege in Belgium, known for its beer, chocolate and water exports. Despite its population of just 50,000 - tiny in comparison to its competitors - Scarborough's work to encourage people to start-up and grow businesses and create jobs saw it awarded the top prize at a gala dinner in Prague's Zofin Palace on Wednesday evening.
Part of European SME Week, which ran from 6 - 14 May 2009, the European Enterprise Awards recognise outstanding initiatives that support enterprise and entrepreneurship. Scarborough's winning bid was led by the Scarborough Renaissance Partnership, a coalition of local entrepreneurs, Scarborough Borough Council staff and residents, which transformed what was a seaside resort in decline into a thriving enterprise hotspot.
Press release ~ Enterprising Britain competition ~ European Enterprise Awards ~ European SME Week ~ Scarborough Renaissance Partnership
NE: Farmers looking to enter Environmental Stewardship will now be offered a greater range of options, making it easier for making it easier for them to join the 35,000 farmers already being paid to care for the environment, Natural England has announced.
The additional options have been introduced this month and are available for all new agreements from 1 May 2009. In addition to the introduction of these new options, points allocations & payments have been increased for the existing in-field tree and mixed stocking options. These changes reflect alterations to the requirements for these options.
There are 3 new options for both Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) and two new capital items for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). Most of the new options will be of particular interest to farmers who want to tackle issues concerning potential soil erosion as part of their Stewardship agreement. Full details of the new & revised options can be found within the Handbook addenda, or by speaking to your local adviser or calling 0300 060 1115.
HO: A public consultation (closes on 3 July 2009) on the European Commission's proposal for a new Directive to strengthen the regulation of the use of animals in scientific experiments has been launched by the Home Office – See ‘Consultation’ section for more information.
