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Author Archives: HM Government

News story: GC team thanked for leading interactive DNA extraction workshop

Dr Malcolm Burns represented the UK at the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) Steering Committee meeting held at the end of June

Dr Malcolm Burns, Principal Scientist and Special Advisor to the GC, represented the UK at the 33rd ENGL Steering Committee meeting held at the JRC-Ispra (Italy) site in June.

Malcolm gave a presentation to the ENGL Steering Committee, summarising the outcome and action points resulting from the DNA extraction workshop he had helped organise and chair in early June. The ENGL Chair and Head of Unit of Food and Feed Compliance (EC Directorate F), Prof. Hendrik Emons, personally thanked Malcolm for the model approach to organising such an interactive workshop, citing all of the positive feedback he had received from participants in attendance at the event.

As a result of the workshop, the ENGL Steering Committee approved a draft proposal to establish a new Working Group in this topical area and asked Malcolm to contribute to the mandate of the Working Group. Malcolm was also asked to spearhead any publications from the workshop, and to consider leading on any official EU/ENGL guidance in the area.

For more information on our work on the GMO area contact us.

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HM Government

Press release: New export partnership with Turkey to boost UK trade

The government’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF) and its Turkish counterpart, Export Credit Bank of Turkey (ECBT) have signed the agreement as the government increased its support for UK businesses trading with Turkey.

UKEF and ECBT will partner to identify and promote opportunities for UK-Turkey trade. They will also now be able to co-finance projects in other countries, combining their financial support to help UK and Turkish exporters secure major global contracts.

This comes as UKEF support for exports to Turkey doubles to up to £3.5 billion, making an additional £1.75 billion available for UK companies selling to Turkey and for Turkish investors buying British products and services. UKEF financing is also now available in Turkish Lira, along with 40 other global currencies, making it easier for Turkish companies to buy UK products using their local currency.

International Trade Minister, Greg Hands, said:

This partnership is a boost to our trading relationship and businesses in both countries. Working with Turkey to secure contracts for UK and Turkish exporters, and increasing our support for UK businesses trading with Turkey, will open new opportunities, not only in Turkey, but across the world.

Adnan Yildrim, General Manager, Export Credit Bank of Turkey, said:

I am very excited about this partnership, as the opportunity for stronger ties between UK and Turkish businesses will have huge benefits for both countries’ continued growth and prosperity. This agreement lays the groundwork for significant engagement and will act as a strategic tool to enhance the already robust economic relations between the two countries who are longstanding close allies. I expect that both sides will start to reap the fruits of the agreement in the shortest time.

The UK and Turkey already shared £11.9bn worth of trade in 2016, up 70% on 2009. The UK and Turkey are committed to further strengthening this relationship in coming years.

  1. UK Export Finance is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.

  2. It exists to ensure that no viable UK export should fail for want of finance or insurance from the private market. It provides finance and insurance to help exporters win, fulfil and ensure they get paid for export contracts.

  3. UKEF can support companies of any size and in any sector, from goods to services and intellectual property.

  4. UKEF has a regional network of export finance managers supporting export businesses.

  5. UKEF supports exporters with a range of products that include:
    • Bond insurance policy
    • Bond support scheme
    • Buyer & supplier credit financing facility
    • Direct lending facility
    • Export insurance policy
    • Export refinancing facility
    • Export working capital scheme
    • Letter of credit guarantee scheme
  6. Find the latest information on UKEF’s country cover positions.
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HM Government

News story: CMA proposes to amend penalties guidance

The CMA is consulting on proposals to amend its penalties guidance in order to reflect experience gained in applying it since it was issued in 2012.

The penalties guidance sets out how the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will calculate the financial penalties it can impose for breaches of competition law. The proposed amendments are intended to enhance transparency and clarify specific aspects of the CMA’s approach to calculating penalties, rather than representing major changes in the CMA’s practice.

The changes include provision of further details around the assessment of seriousness of infringements, additional information regarding some illustrative mitigating and aggravating factors and the application of discounts where the CMA considers approving voluntary redress schemes.

Further information on the proposed changes and the draft revised guidance is available on the consultation page.

Interested parties are encouraged to respond to the consultation, which will run until 27 September 2017. Responses should be submitted by email to penaltiesguidance-consultation@cma.gsi.gov.uk or by post to:

Penalties Guidance Team
Policy and International
Competition and Markets Authority
6th Floor
Victoria House
37 Southampton Row
London WC1B 4AD

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HM Government