IT IS well known that due to new impending EU regulations, growers are being forced to stop using certain pesticides.

Some herbicides, pesticides and fungicides currently in use are likely to become unavailable during 2010 and beyond.

The Pesticides Safety Directorate estimates production of some crops could fall by 50 per cent as a result. Climate change will also play its part and control is likely to be needed of pests and diseases that were not previously problematic in the UK. All of this comes at a time when global food demand is already stretching agricultural output to the limit. It is clear that a change of direction is needed.

It is worth noting the sheer scale of the effort that goes into producing food. The UK food sector contributes £129bn to the economy, seven per cent of GDP. Meanwhile during 2008/9 the UK exported 5.4 million tonnes of cereal and oilseed rape.

The agricultural sector relies on a supply chain worth £1.2bn. This includes fertilisers, pesticides, machinery, animal feeds etc. All together, these are significant figures indeed.

In a very welcome positive move, a new £13million research fund has been announced.

The idea is to encourage growers to come up with ways to increase productivity, whilst reducing their impact on the environment.

The new approaches to crop protection fund; is the first competition of a £75 million sustainable agriculture and food innovation platform, a joint - initiative between, the Technology Strategy Board, DEFRA and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

It will support research and development projects that focus on improving productivity, sustainability and efficiency in the crop production chain. New ground breaking technologies, products and services are particularly welcomed. One of the ways forward is to develop crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for a diet of synthetic control.

Encouraging natural predators is another avenue that needs further exploration. A better balance of predators can be built up with an integrated pest management programme.

Biological pest control and rapid responses to pest and disease outbreaks, as well as post-harvest control are also within the scope of the competition. The competition is relevant to UK based businesses of all sizes in horticulture, arable crops, grasses, forage crops, as well as crops used for biofuel and other non-food uses.

There are certain exclusions to bear in mind.

Issues such as post farm gate waste reduction, refrigeration, food processing and packaging are not allowed. All applicants who apply will need to show why the suggested solution is innovative, including what benefits it will bring to the UK economy and world wide environment. Projects can be basic research, through to applied research and experimental development projects.

Projects that involve industry-orientated research will be considered, however a strong case will need to be presented.

Key Information The competition opens on January 18, 2010.

On January 27 there is an optional briefing day. Organisations have until February 25 to submit an initial expression of interest.

Feedback will be given by March 19. A compulsory briefing day takes place on March 31. Entries will then be short-listed and a deadline date of April 29 given to complete the full application process. The decision date is 4 June 4 2010 when feedback will also be given to applicants. Finally on July 7 2010 there will be a new projects workshop.

Visit innovateuk.org for advice or telephone the competition helpline on 01355 272155.