News Archive
Eden's technology selected in two Government funded projects
Eden Research plc, a leading UK agrochemical development company, today announces that its novel patented encapsulation technology and terpene products will feature strongly in two projects recently selected for funding through the Technology Strategy Board's latest competition.
Over £13.5m of Government funding has been allocated to thirty two consortia in its latest competition "New Approaches to Crop Protection". Over 200 applications were originally submitted to the Technology Strategy Board for consideration.
The projects will develop new technologies to help farmers and growers adapt to the specific challenges posed by recent changes to EU pesticide regulations that threaten the withdrawal of a number of key crop protection products, as well as supporting the broader aims of the Technology Strategy Board's recently established Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform (SAF IP).
In the first project, led by Cygnet Potato Breeders, the focus is to develop new diagnostic tools to identify and quantify damage arising from free-living nematode species, assess direct and indirect damage arising and investigate how integrated control strategies including nematicides and new varieties can benefit growers, thereby ensuring the continuing viability of the UK potato industry. Eden is contributing its nematicidal formulations, of which Certis Europe has recently taken an exclusive option for EU, Africa, Asia, Middle East and Oceania.
Other project partners include McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, PepsiCo International, Du Pont, The Co-operative Farms, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd, SCRI, SAC, Plant Health Care UK Ltd, Tozer Seeds Ltd and Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd.
The second project, led by Berry Garden Growers Ltd, is to develop new Biofumigation-based approaches to sustainable control of soil-borne pathogens. Initially working to control Verticillium wilt in strawberry crops, it is hoped that the project will have potential application to a much wider range of crops including raspberry, potato and cotton. Using Eden's patented encapsulation technology with biocidal terpenes found in Lavender, the project will assess levels of control achievable with different application techniques (liquid, granules etc).
Other project partners include BerryWorld, Sainbury's, Tozer Seeds Ltd, K&S Fumigation Services Ltd, CPM (Retail) Ltd, Natural Resources Institute and East Malling Research.
Taking into account contributions from the British companies undertaking the research and development, the total value of the R&D is in excess of £25m.
Jim Paice MP, Agriculture and Food Minister said:
"Crop protection is an important issue for UK farmers and growers, so I am pleased that this is the first area to be targeted by the platform. This competition, to which DEFRA has contributed £3.5m, will give vital support to farmers following changes to EU pesticide regulations."
The competition, which attracted additional funding from the Scottish Government and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, is the first of a number of planned investments co-ordinated by the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform. It plans to invest up to £ 90m over the next five years in projects and initiatives across the agri-food sector.
Clive Newitt, Managing Director of Eden Research PLC said, "We are delighted that both projects we decided to become involved in have been selected for funding and we look forward to working with such well known partners as McCains, Sainbury's and PepsiCo. Both projects demonstrate the flexibility of Eden's technology and its suitability to deliver effective alternative crop protection products for the benefit of growers, consumers and the environment"
The directors of Eden are responsible for the contents of this announcement.
For further information:
Eden Research plc
Clive Newitt, Managing Director
01993 862761
St Helens Capital Partners LLP
Mark Anwyl
020 7368 6959