UK animal feed manufacturers will now be able to use six types of genetically modified (GM) maize during production.

The European Commission (EC) announced that farmers can now import the GM maize after European Union farming ministers failed to come up with a decision in June.

“The six adoptions are the result of a usual and standard procedure concerning the authorisation of GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] to be used in food and feed,” said a Commission spokesman.
Read the rest of this entry »

A new scheme designed to encourage businesses and restaurants to recycle is set to be launched in Scotland.

Aberdeen-based Keenan Recycling will collect leftover food, coffee grounds, cups and paper towels from firms in the region.

The company will then recycle the food at its facility in Aberdeenshire, which can process 50,000 tonnes of waste a year.
Read the rest of this entry »

A new ale dedicated to Cardiff football club has been launched, it has been revealed.

Regional beer wholesaler Ales Distribution has made the Bluebird Pilsner ale in honour of the club’s four Wembley appearances between 1925 and 2010, reports walesonline.co.uk.

Brian McConkey, of Ales Distribution, claimed the new ale would be a hit with football fans as local brewers have previously only focused on rugby-themed drinks.
Read the rest of this entry »

A Northern Irish bakery has moved into new premises after receiving funding from the Bank of Ireland.

Pattons Bakery was awarded £300,000 by the bank to facilitate its move to Kiltonga Industrial Estate, reports belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

The new expanded building will help Pattons cope with demand from major retailers such as Henderson Group and Musgrave Retail Partners and thereby increase the need for more machinery.
Read the rest of this entry »

A new waste-to-energy plant is set to be constructed in Hertfordshire, it has been revealed.

Hertfordshire County Council is set to offer an £800 million waste services contract to either energy firm EON or waste management company Veolia ES – both of whom have pledged to build a new energy-from-waste incinerator.

The facility will be able to process 270,000 tonnes of the county’s household waste every year, leading to an increase in the uptake of industry machinery.
Read the rest of this entry »

The brewing industry has received a welcome boost following the expansion of a Cornish brewery.

St Austell Brewery has announced it is set to expand its County Arms pub in Truro by constructing a 33-room hotel on the site.

The new lodge highlights the re-growth of the brewing sector which was badly hit by the economic crisis.
Read the rest of this entry »

The biomass industry has been boosted by a government pledge to provide more financial support to the sector.

The department of energy and climate change has announced that waste-to-energy plants and anaerobic digestion facilities will receive funding (grandfathered) under the Renewables Obligation (RO) system until 2037.

The Environmental Services Association (ESA), the waste sector’s trade body, claimed the decision will help firms further invest in machinery and infrastructure.
Read the rest of this entry »

A US firm is considering purchasing a Walsall brewery which closed last month.

Following the collapse of Highgate & Davenports, several companies, including California-based Stone Brewing Company, are weighing up a bid for the Highgate brewery.

Stone is currently looking for an European base for its operations and is aiming to visit the site having already seen it online, reports expressandstar.com.
Read the rest of this entry »

An anaerobic digestion (AD) plant is set to open in Manchester, it has been revealed.

Waste management firm Viridor Laing will begin sending waste to the site in September as part of its 25-year contact with the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

The two wet AD tanks will produce methane from organic waste to fuel another plant which will provide electricity and heat for the National Grid.
Read the rest of this entry »

The animal feed industry has been boosted by an European Union (EU) investigation which found phosphate suppliers were fixing the price of feed.

The EU fined 13 firms a total of 175 million euros (£146 million) for fixing the price of animal feed since 1969.

Animal feed prices could now fall and encourage more recession-hit farmers to purchase feed, leading to an increase in production and uptake of machinery.
Read the rest of this entry »