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Funding scheme for producers extended.
Fruit and vegetable growers in Scotland have been given assurance
on support over the next two years to help improve the quality,
market value and sustainability of their produce.
The Scottish Government has allocated up to £6 million over the
next two years to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme.
Scottish Borders Produce, East of Scotland Growers and Angus
Growers will all receive a share of the multi-year funding,
designed to help increase their competitiveness in the supply
chain.
The scheme enables producers to work together, using investment
and facilities to upscale and gain access to the most profitable
markets - which might have previously only been available for the
larger, more established producers. That means smaller growers
particularly benefit from this support.
Rural Affairs Secretary said:
“Supporting our local fruit and vegetable growers is crucial –
for so many reasons. To make fresh, local produce more readily
available in local shops, to support jobs in the agricultural
sector and to increase our food security as a nation.
“I know that the sector continues to deal with a range of
significant challenges and is one of those most acutely affected
by Brexit which has caused unnecessary and unhelpful seasonal
labour shortages. Most recently, water scarcity has created
problems too in some areas, while every part of farming is still
having to meet increased costs for supply inputs and energy.
“Continuing this support has arguably never been more important.
I hope that by extending the support provided by the Fruit and
Vegetables Aid scheme in its current form, we can provide
much-needed stability and security to the sector over the next
two years. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government will continue to
work on giving greater certainty on multi-year funding longer
term.”
Scottish Borders Produce Limited Company Secretary Brian
Aitchison said:
"We are very grateful for the extension to the support funding
available from the Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme for the next
two years.
"As a farmer’s co-operative we continuously work towards
spreading crop yield variances and financial risks. The
funding extension provides extra stability in a difficult growing
environment.
"We continue to attract new members who appreciate the
co-operative business model, and this funding helps sustain that
co-operation. It is wonderful and re-assuring to see this funding
continue for the next two years and hopefully well beyond that."
Background
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.
