Horticulture
Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme
The 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 improve their position in the marketplace.
To qualify for financial assistant the PO must draw up a three 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.
In Scotland, the scheme is administered by Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division.
Read more:
Marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables
Marketing standards are the quality and labelling requirements that fruit and vegetables must meet, at all stages of production and marketing.
There are two types of marketing standards to be applied at all stages of the distribution chain: the Specific Marketing Standards (SMS) apply to 10 types of fresh fruit and vegetables, while the General Marketing Standards (GMS) to apply most other fruit and vegetables, nuts and herbs. More details on both the specific and general marketing standards are available.
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