IN BRIEF

3 July 1998

IN BRIEF

&#8226 A NEW support organisation to help farmers and small businesses in Lancs to diversify and claim European Objective 5b money has been launched. Rural Signpost, formed with the help of Business Link East Lancashire, is also a main contact point for the governments proposed Bowland Experiment, designed to tackle declining employment and the effects of intensive farming in upland areas. Lancs businesses can contact Rural Signpost on 0800-328 1700.

&#8226 THE latest round of EU grants for food processing and marketing saw 27 Scottish firms share £3m.

Scottish farm minister Lord Sewel said the awards would generate more than 800 jobs and generate more than £12.4m of investment.

The largest grant was £300,000 to Turriff-based meat company Keypak Buchan.