A company that makes herbal and homeopathic remedies for farmers hit so badly by BSE that it had to cease trading for a year, has broken into the global marketplace with help from the International Agricultural and Technology Centre (IATC).
Blue Merle, based in Staffordshire, was set up in 1995 by managing director Peter Phillips who saw a gap in the market for cost effective, safe remedies which are needed in modern farms.
Using the IATC – funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands – Blue Merle has been able to move into Poland, France, Canada, China and the Caribbean to help overcome the problems caused by foot and mouth.
Recently, Blue Merle has taken distribution rights across Europe for a natural immune support product which boosts the immunity in cattle which has been introduced from South Africa and developed by Dr Wa Vermeulen.
Managing director Peter Phillips said: "We had been able to get a strong foothold in the domestic market with our products but when the foot and mouth outbreak happened it meant we had to look at exporting as a way of making sure we overcame the downturn.
"The IATC has helped us make progress in breaking into the difficult export markets and we have been able to work with Dr Wa Vermeulen to develop a new product.
"The support from the IATC has been invaluable and we are looking now to go from strength to strength."
Philippa David, Director at the IATC, said: "Blue Merle is a classic example of how the IATC can empower businesses to look overseas for markets.
"The centre was launched in 2003 to help companies involved in the agriculture, food supply chain and related technologies industries in the wake of foot and mouth by providing access to the global marketplace. This will continue to be vital as worldwide food production needs to increase by 50 per cent by the year 2025."
