Research and analysis: Science landscape seminar: space, satellites and astronomy
Report of a seminar on space, satellites and astronomy research in the UK.
Research and analysis: Science landscape seminar: meteorology and climate science
Report of a seminar on climate science research in the UK.
Form: Plant varieties: technical questionnaires
Updated: Technical questionnaire (field bean) has been updated.
An application for plant breeder’s rights and National Listing of agricultural and vegetable crops must include:
- a completed, signed, application form
- a completed technical questionnaire for the particular species, including a confidential section if required
- application fee and completed remittance advice slip for plant breeders’ rights
- application fee and completed remittance advice slip for National Listing
A colour photograph showing the representative features of the variety must also be provided with plant breeders’ rights applications for ornamentals.
Detailed guide: VCU protocols and procedures for testing agricultural crops
Updated: Procedures for 2019 harvest, Winter oilseed rape document updated
As part of the application process to add an agricultural crop to the National List, the plant must be tested to confirm whether the variety has satisfactory value for cultivation or use (VCU).
The growing trials for all crops, except potatoes, are organised by the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB). The trials for potatoes are organised by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA).
These trials are normally carried out for a minimum of 2 years, comparing the performance of candidate varieties with varieties already on the National Lists.
The trials use the VCU protocols and procedures approved by the Plant Variety and Seeds Committee, which represents the national authorities on seed issues to establish VCU.
Protocols
Crops
Trials
Procedures – for 2019 harvest
Minor crops
Procedures – for 2018 harvest
Minor crops
Procedures – for 2014 harvest
Trials
Guidance: CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme: conversion factors
Updated: Annual update to CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme: Table of Conversion Factors
Compliance requirements
Organisations which participate within the CRC are required to monitor their energy use, and report their energy supplies annually. The Environment Agency’s reporting system applies emissions factors to calculate participants’ carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the basis of this information.
Participants must purchase and surrender allowances for their emissions. Allowances can either be bought at annual fixed-price sales, or traded on the secondary market. One allowance must be surrendered for each tonne of CO2 emitted.
In the current phase, participants have the option of buying allowances in advance in the lower price ‘forecast sale’ at the start of a compliance year, or in a higher price ‘compliance sale’ after the end of the year.
For the current phase, the following prices have been announced:
| CRC Scheme Year | Forecast Sale Price | Compliance Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | £15.60 | £16.40 |
| 2015/16 | £15.60 | £16.90 |
| 2016/17 | £16.10 | £17.20 |
| 2017/18 | £16.60 | £17.70 |
| 2018/19 | £17.20 | £18.30 |
At Budget in March 2016, HMT announced the decision to close CRC following the 2018-19 compliance year, with no purchase of allowances required to cover emissions for energy supplied from April 2019.
Further guidance
Official guidance on all aspects of complying with the CRC Scheme is available from the Environment Agency webpages.