Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC): business and regulatory impact assessment 2026

Consumer Duty

In line with the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, officials have considered the impact of the proposal on consumers in Scotland and the desirability of reducing harm to consumers. A separate impact assessment screening has also been completed.

What is the proposal trying to achieve?

The proposal is to establish SAIC as an independent entity to support innovation and investment in the aquaculture sector through funding and coordination of activity between industry and academia. The objective is to improve productivity, sustainability and long-term sector performance.

What are the impacts on consumers?

Consumers are not direct recipients of SAIC services. However, indirect impacts are expected including:

• Improved quality and availability of aquaculture products
• Enhanced environmental performance of production
• Potential long-term price stability through productivity improvements.

Is it likely that harm will be experienced by consumers?

No significant direct harm has been identified. Potential risks include:

• Concentration of innovation benefits among larger firms
• Limited pass-through of productivity gains to consumers.

These risks are considered low.

What alternative proposals are there?

The rest of the options (refer to table of options) that were considered were assessed as less effective in delivering coordinated innovation and therefore less likely to deliver consumer benefits.

How will outcomes for consumers be improved and harm reduced?

Mitigating actions include:

• Transparent funding processes
• Monitoring of market and competition effects
• Periodic review of consumer-relevant outcomes.
• Consideration of geographic balance in funding decision