FARMERS and growers can bid for government grants of up to £500,000 to help improve their competitiveness under a new scheme. DEFRA is now inviting applications for grants under the Agriculture Development Scheme (ADS).

Guidance notes and an application form are available on the DEFRA

website, www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/index.asp, or from

ads.mailbox@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Updated: 09:16 Thursday, August 01, 2002