Policy actions  3 of 4

Horticulture

EU Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme

The EU Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme enables officially recognised Producer Organisations (POs), formed on the initiative of a group of growers, to receive financial assistance to help increase their competitiveness in the supply chain. 

To qualify for financial assistant the PO must draw up a 3 to 5 year operational programme aimed at achieving pre-set objects, for example improving the quality, marketing and end value of their produce, promoting the use on environmentally sound cultivation practices or reducing production costs.

The scheme is administered throughout the UK by the Rural Payments Agency. 

Read more:

Marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables

EU marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables are part of the EU marketing rules to ensure the market is supplied with goods of a standardised and satisfactory quality. 

There are two types of marketing standards to be applied at all stages of the distribution chain: the Specific Marketing Standards (SMS) for 10 products and a General Marketing Standards (GMS) to apply to all fruit and vegetables, unless exempt.

Scottish Government marketing officers carry out conformity checks to enforce these standards. 

Read more: Marketing inspections 

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

AHDB Horticulture serves the commercial horticultural industry in Great Britain. It is one of six sector organisations under the umbrella of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The principle objective of AHDB Horticulture is to commission research and development on behalf of the horticultural industry. AHDB Horticulture have had a long involvement in raspberry breeding at the James Hutton institute, which is part funded by the Scottish Government. Read more: AHDB Horticulture

AHDB is a statutory levy-funded organisation with the duty to help improve the efficiency and competitiveness of various agriculture and horticulture sectors in parts of the UK representing about 75% of total UK agricultural output. AHDB contribute to the funding of horticulture research & development within Scotland. Some of these projects are with the University of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the James Hutton Institute. Read more: www.AHDB.co.uk 

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