GKM offers £900k for sustainable innovation in food and drink sector
4th April 2023
In a new Business Sustainability Challenge, Growing Kent & Medway (GKM) is making £900,000 available for innovative horticultural, plant-based food and drink businesses with ideas to enhance sustainability in the sector.
Simon Thorpe MW steps down as CEO of WineGB
3rd April 2023
Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has announced the resignation of its CEO Simon Thorpe MW, who has served the organisation for over two years and will now be returning to his roots as an importer and distributor.
World leading oenologist joins NIAB to drive vine and wine research
3rd April 2023
Dr Belinda Kemp has joined the crop research organisation NIAB to lead the vine and wine research at its East Malling site in Kent.
Unprecedented pub closures continue to shake up UK drinks industry
30th March 2023
Latest statistics from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) show that 21 pubs a week are closing for business in the UK and face an uncertain future, with customers tightening their belts and energy bills set to hit new highs from 1st April.
Genetic Technology Act unlocks new ground in plant breeding
24th March 2023
New legislative framework enabling the use of precision breeding technologies such as gene editing was granted Royal Assent yesterday (23rd March) and is set to accelerate the development of higher-yielding, more nutritious and climate-resilient crops in England.
“Collaborative spirit” and open-book mindset essential for future-proofing wine sector
23rd March 2023
In response to ongoing increases in dry goods, packing and supply chain costs and extreme glass shortages experienced by the wine sector, an international panel of producers, suppliers and buyers discussed new ways of working together on a zoom session hosted by The Buyer and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.
Wine students can apply for new £5,000 sustainability bursary
23rd March 2023
Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has launched a £5,000 sustainability-focused bursary for wine industry students. The bursary will be awarded to a student at Plumpton College pursuing their final research project on a sustainability issue facing British vineyards.
Coventry University helps eco-friendly weed control business scale up
21st March 2023
An eco-friendly weed-killing system which uses electricity instead of harmful chemicals to treat orchards and vineyards is set to go to market after support from Coventry University.
Pioneering vineyard is using sheep fleece to give wines a fuller body
2nd March 2023
Gwinllan Conwy in North Wales is the first vineyard to use sheep fleeces as mulch under vines, with owner Colin Bennett reporting a multitude of benefits so far, such as improved soil health, weed and pest suppression, and fuller-bodied wines.
New Zealand cyclone “a major blow” for growers and wineries
28th February 2023
Cyclone Gabrielle has caused huge damage to some vineyards and wineries since it hit the North Island around two weeks ago – on the cusp of the busiest time of year for the wine making industry.
Sencrop to develop new disease modelling in vines at NIAB base
22nd February 2023
As the European agri-tech company opens its first UK base at NIAB’s Barn4 AgriTech incubator in Cambridge, Sencrop is looking to make the most of viticulture research opportunities, such as developing new disease modelling in grapevines.
GKM research vouchers up to £15,000 awarded to innovative businesses
21st February 2023
Growing Kent & Medway (GKM) has awarded a total of £154,000 funding in the form of research vouchers to 11 horticulture, food and drink businesses for projects aiming to overcome sustainability challenges.
