Detecting drug residues in meat and milk, the use of biomass for heat and power and engineering rice varieties for resistance to insects are a few of the topics covered in the latest round of EU research awards under the FAIR programme. Over 130 projects were supported by FAIR which funds work in agriculture, fisheries and food technologies. The scheme in particular backs co-operation between industry and researchers, which is expected to lead to new products and services. One project will develop a protocol for the collection, preparation, distribution and handling of BSE-infected tissue and fluid samples. It will ensure the safety and availability of infected samples to support research work in this field.