Call for input on the future of the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland
Feedback updated 25 Nov 2025
We asked
We held a public consultation seeking views on proposed operational changes to the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland, to ensure the scheme remains sustainable and efficient under financial constraints. In addition, we asked for more general views to help inform any future redesign of the scheme. Future changes will be subject to a further consultation.
The consultation consisted of 20 questions and ran from 23 June to 14 September 2025.
You said
A total of 18 validated responses were received from 15 organisations and 3 individuals. A range of views were provided.
In relation to proposed operational amendments, the majority of respondents agreed that aid provided by the scheme should be based on production grown in Scotland. There was a split in opinion if funding should be permitted for those producer organisations (POs) who have members outside Scotland, however the responses weighted in favour of allowing members in other parts of the UK to be part of a Scottish PO, but not including their value in the calculation determining the level of financial assistance that would be provided. The majority of responses agreed that Scottish Ministers should have discretion over the total budget for the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland and supported that the funding cap should remain as a percentage of a PO’s value of marketed production (VMP). The majority of responses agreed there should be a statutory right to appeal within the scheme.
In relation to the potential future redevelopment of the scheme, common themes highlighted were around stability, collaborative working, simplification, investment, aligning with other Scottish Government priorities and policies along with support and funding for smaller-scale producers. All responses regarding the future of the scheme are noted and will form the starting point for further consideration and stakeholder engagement on more detail potential changes in due course.
We did
We analysed responses to the consultation and publish the analysis report on the Scottish Government website: Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland: consultation analysis - gov.scot.
We published consultation responses (where permission was granted) on Citizen Space: Published responses for Call for input on the future of the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space.
Following analysis of the responses, The Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Fruit and Vegetables) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 was laid, in draft, before the Scottish Parliament on Friday 21 November. The Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) will come into force on 30 January 2026, subject to Parliamentary approval, and will make operational changes to the scheme in Scotland in line with the consultation and responses received.
Longer term, there is need for further conversations on the redesign of the scheme in Scotland and how it can complement future agricultural and environmental strategies. Information gathered via this consultation will form the basis of further engagement and consultation.
The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the valuable fruit and vegetable sector in Scotland and we look forward to continuing to work closely with stakeholders in this area.
Results updated 27 Nov 2025
The analysis report summarising the consultation responses has now been published. It can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-analysis-fruit-vegetables-aid-scheme-scotland/
Links:
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
The Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme is a legacy EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) scheme. It provides aid to groups of fruit and vegetable growers, recognised as producer organisations, to encourage them to work collaboratively and increase the quality and quantity of the produce they grow.
The EU legislation was brought in to domestic law so it could carry on as it originally operated. Since leaving the EU, the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland has been funded by the Scottish Government. We wish to consider ways in which we can improve the scheme for Scotland so that it works as efficiently and effectively as possible under the constraints of a limited budget now that it is no longer funded by the European Commission.
Section A of the consultation is where we are calling for stakeholder views on specific aspects of the regulations where we have identified that there is scope to make amendments, through targeted reforms, which would help contribute to the longevity of, and certainty around, the scheme. We would also welcome more general views at Section B of the consultation, to inform future development of the scheme which will form the basis of a future consultation.
Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Background Information on the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme
The Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme aims to incentivise farmers and growers in a variety of sectors to form producer organisations to encourage collaboration, strengthen their position in the supply chain, and increase competitiveness. Producer organisations also provide a mechanism for promoting environmentally sound cultivation practices and production techniques, and climate change mitigation.
Since the UK’s exit from the EU, the same scheme rules have applied. Financial assistance is payable to producer organisations in the horticulture sector that submit an operational programme which meets Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme regulatory requirements and fits within the UK Strategy and Environmental Framework. An operational programme is a business plan which is submitted as a key part of a funding application. Operational funds are part financed by contributions from producer organisation members.
The support provided by the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme has played an important role in sustaining the Scottish edible horticulture sector. In an industry where margins are low and operating at scale is necessary, the encouragement to collaborate has helped a large proportion of Scottish growers, particularly small to medium-sized primary producers.
The edible horticulture industry is a particularly tough food retailing environment. It is one that has been impacted by various geopolitical and climate related events. Success is dependent on delivering produce to exacting standards at competitive prices. Match-funded grant aid supports growers to plan and continually develop their activities. It helps to maintain investment while reducing the risk of that investment, which in turn generates improved productivity and efficiency, higher rates of return, greater customer value and also maintains grower confidence.
To date, the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme has been delivered largely on a UK-wide basis. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has carried out delivery functions on behalf of each nation, including Scottish Ministers for Scotland. However from the 2026 scheme year and onwards, the scheme in Scotland will be delivered directly by the Scottish Government and it is therefore considered important to explore changes that could be made to ensure the scheme continues to support Scottish growers in the best way possible.
Consultation questions preview
The consultation questions are included here for your reference. Please click 'Begin consultation' at the bottom of this page to proceed.
Questions on Section A: proposal for immediate changes to legislation
1. Do you agree that aid provided by the Scottish Government should be based on production grown only in Scotland?
2. Do you have a preference on approach, either (a) funding producer organisations with only Scottish growers, or (b) still allowing producer organisations with members based in other parts of the UK to be funded, but not including their value in the calculation determining aid that would be provided.
3. What, if any, are the benefits to your producer organisation of having members based in other parts of the UK?
4. Do you agree that Scottish Ministers should have discretion over the total budget for the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme in Scotland?
5. Do you support the potential approach of the funding cap being set at a percentage, determined by Scottish Ministers, of a producer organisation’s value of marketed production (VMP)?
6. Is it important that Producer Organisations are made aware of what the funding cap would be set at in advance of submitting an operational programme?
7. Do you have other suggestions that would enable a fair and sustainable way for the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme to be funded in Scotland?
8. Are there other factors that Scottish Ministers should take into consideration when determining how discretion should be applied?
9. Would restricting applications for new operational programmes to every three years have an impact on your business?
10. Do you, or the organisation you represent, intend to apply for funding through the Fruit and Vegetebles Aid Scheme in the future?
11. Would a transitional provision be beneficial to you/your organisation?
12. Would removing the option of a two-year operational programme have an impact on your business?
13. Do you agree that there should be a statutory right to appeal for Producer Organisations under the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme?
14. Please provide any further comments on the proposals set out in this consultation.
Questions on Section B: to inform future development of the scheme
15. What are the key benefits of the current scheme that should be retained?
16. What improvements could be made to ensure the scheme better supports Scottish growers?
17. What improvements could be made to make scheme administration more efficient and reduce bureaucracy?
18. Given the finite resources, how should priorities be set to maximise impact?
19. How can the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme better support new or emerging growers who are not currently part of a producer organisation?
20. Are you content with the range of crops eligible for support within the scheme?
Useful information about responding to this consultation
As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return to the consultation at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the consultation midway through, your response will be lost.
Once you have submitted your response, you can enter your email address to get a pdf copy of your answers sent to you.
On the 'About You' page at the end of this consultation, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.
After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because we must check any responses to be published abide by our Terms of Use.
An analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted. It will be published on the Scottish Government website and you may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address with us. You can also join our consulation mailing list where we regularly list newly published analysis reports (as well as new consultations).
Why your views matter
This call for input is being undertaken by the Scottish Government and relates to Scotland. This is a public call for views, and we welcome all inputs, particularly those from the fresh produce sector.
What happens next
Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, and after we have checked that they contain no potentially defamatory material, responses will be made available to the public at Citizen Space. If you use the consultation hub to respond, you will receive a copy of your response via email.
Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us. Responses will be published where we have been given permission to do so. An analysis report will also be made available.
Interests
- Farming and Rural
- Main hub
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