Bank of England Agents Summary of Business Conditions: The main headlines are:
Consumer spending growth had moderated in real terms, as spending power had been hit by higher prices. But manufacturing export growth had risen. That had mostly reflected the effects of the earlier decline in sterling. Investment intentions had also edged higher and were consistent with modest growth in spending over the year ahead.
In the labour market, recruitment conditions had tightened a little further, with skills shortages reported in a wider range of activities. Labour costs growth had edged up in manufacturing. But pay awards remained clustered around 2%–2½% across the economy.
Consumer goods price inflation had picked up markedly. That largely reflected the effects of sterling’s earlier fall feeding through supply chains and into retail prices. Consumer services price inflation had also increased, but to a lesser degree.
Full details are available at the links http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Pages/agentssummary/default.aspx http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Documents/agentssummary/2017/may.pdf
Mud, Sweat and Tractors: the Story of Agriculture (BBC4, 20:00 tonight 22nd May), uses movie archives of three farming families from the east of England, the documentary focuses on wheat growing and explains how Britain became self-sufficient in bread-making (wheat)after the Second World War. Further details here http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/q72c/mud-sweat-and-tractors-the-story-of-agriculture–s1-e3-wheat
The Anaphylaxis Campaign: are holding their annual Corporate Conference on Wednesday 13th September 2017 at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD. It is entitled ‘Allergen Thresholds: The Complete Picture’, the conference will be an opportunity to meet and listen to renowned speakers from the food industry, exchange views and experiences, and network with other corporate organisations that have an interest in allergens. The Conference will be Chaired by David Reading OBE. For full details please find the agenda attached and to register a place to attend please visit the Anaphylaxis Campaign website: http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/product/2017-corporate-conference/.
EFSA: has advised that a new food enzyme exposure tool has been used to more accurately estimate consumer exposure to enzymes used in food production, improving their safety evaluation. The tool uses technical conversion factors, which means EFSA can combine food consumption data with enzyme use levels and take into account the level of transfer of food enzymes into food products. This approach has been used in the four scientific opinions below, paving the way for the evaluation of the remaining 300 applications.
Food Safety Week: The FSA has advised that Food Safety Week will now take place on week commencing 19 June 2017.
Whole Grain Summit 2017 Vienna, 13-15 November 2017.The 6th International Whole Grain Summit is the key international conference on whole grains and will use this global reach to establish networks and define action plans to stimulate increased consumption of whole grains and other healthy cereal ingredients. Registration is now open – be an Early Bird and benefit from a reduced registration rate! An attractive ICC membership and registration package is also being offered. View more details and register today under https://www.wholegrainsummit.com/registration.
EFSA: Has announced that registration opens on 1 June 2017, for applications for experts to join its ten Scientific Panels and its Scientific Committee. Successful applicants will be part of an international and interdisciplinary team contributing to food safety. Through EFSA’s active international cooperation efforts the work will have global relevance.
Glyphosate: It is reported that the European Commission is to propose extending by 10 years its approval for glyphosate. We await official confirmation of this.
Tritordeum: A new natural cereal made by combining durum wheat(triticum durum) and wild barley(Hordeum chilense) has been made available in the UK.
Carbon Trusts Events:
Setting Science-based Targets: A Carbon Trust webinar 8 June 2017, 10am until 11am (BST) A webinar discussion on Science-based targets, why they are important and the benefits companies can experience by setting them. This webinar will be delivered by our experts, drawing on experience of client projects and serving on the Technical Advisory Group for the Science Based Targets initiative. Read more & register >
Carbon Trust Green Business Fund SME workshops Workshops for small and medium sized businesses in England to learn more about the Green Business Fund, and how to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs. Read more & register
Introduction to Small Business Energy and Efficiency Funding Peterborough 13 June 2017, Peterborough, UK Please join us for breakfast and receive energy efficiency training from a Carbon Trust expert and explore some of the initiatives on offer that provide funded support and capital which aim to develop and grow your business. Read more & register
Energy from Waste: Green Business Fund Technology Webinar 21 June 2017 This webinar for small businesses will explain how energy from waste is recovered and generated, provide tips on how to identify opportunities within your business and discuss the next steps to take to implement a waste to energy project. Read more & register