The scheme is not available to agricultural, fisheries, horticultural, transport or export sectors – what exactly does that mean?
The scheme is based upon the De Minimis Block Exemption Regulation. In order to comply with this regulation, the following business sectors are not eligible to apply for interest free loans: • Agricultural sector – any enterprise active in the primary production of agricultural products is currently excluded. However farmers in England can apply for loans of between £3,000 to £20,000. Enterprises involved solely in the processing and marketing of agricultural produce are generally acceptable unless their business is preparing animal or plant produce for the first sale. Such enterprises would also be excluded if the benefit of the loan is passed on to primary producers. • Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors – we are generally unable to make loans to enterprises in these sectors at the moment. • Export-related sector – if the loan will support export-related activities and is directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network, or to oth
