Chamber and committees

I regularly engage with CMAL to discuss progress on a range of vessel and port projects, and wider governance and management issues. There is also regular engagement with CalMac on operational matters and service updates. The revaluation of non-domestic rates has not been discussed as part of these engagements to date.

The Scottish Government provides support to groups of growers recognised as Producer Organisations (POs) via the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme. It is a long-standing support mechanism to encourage and enable collaboration, strategic planning, improved quality and market competitiveness. It provides match-funding, over multi-year operational programmes, for actions including investments in infrastructure, employment of specialist staff and research and innovation projects.

Examples of some of the innovation projects that have been funded through the scheme are:

• propagation trials, which if successful, would reduce imports of plants, reduce costs, control plant health and ensure the best plants for producing high quality food;
• pesticide reduction supported by UV light robots which autonomously shine a UK light on fruit plants, killing disease and causing microbes. Results indicate they can reduce powdery mildew pesticide treatments by 60-100% and increase fruit production by 15%;
• growing media trials to phase out the use of peat. Coir is an important and valuable growing media that has enabled growers to transition away from using peat, but also comes with concerns. Funding from the scheme has enabled growers to experiment with blending spent coir with woodchip, hemp, wool, heather and bracken and trial the alternatives. Finding a replacement will increase business resilience and contribute to climate change goals.

The Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme helps support growers of all sizes work together and plays a key role in sustaining the horticulture sector. It is reported that nearly half of UK-grown fresh produce is managed by UK-based POs.

The Scottish Government also supports fruit and vegetable growers, who are not part of a recognised PO, through a range of complementary measures. The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) provides area-based support to all eligible farmers and crofters, including those growing fruit and vegetables, helping them maintain sustainable production and contribute to Scotland’s food supply. Organic fruit and vegetable growers can also access financial assistance through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), which offers funding for both conversion and maintenance of organic practices, supporting soil health, biodiversity, and climate-friendly farming.

Initiatives such as the Small Producers Pilot Fund provide capital grants and strategic support to support small producers across Scotland. This includes £500,000 in capital funding this year to boost innovation, strengthen local food production, improve energy efficiency and sustain rural jobs. It is delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise. The sector has welcomed this support enthusiastically, with strong demand reflected in a high number of applications, highlighting the vital role small producers play in driving innovation, sustainability and vibrant local communities.

In addition, the national Good Food Nation Plan sets out a vision for a fair, healthy and sustainable food system, guiding current and future food policy, and further support is provided through grant funding for community growing projects, which aim to increase access to land and encourage people to learn about and experience the benefits of growing their own food.

Draft rateable values for the 2026 revaluation were published on 30 November 2025 but may be subject to change.

The final valuation roll will come into effect on 1 April 2026. The Scottish Government has published a report on changes in rateable values based on draft 2026 values on 13 January and will publish a further report once final valuations are available.

The draft budget will continue to support businesses and communities with a strong non-domestic rates package for 2026-27 that decreases the Basic, Intermediate and Higher Property Rates in 2026-27, delivering the lowest Basic Property Rate since 2018-19.

Businesses and communities will be supported with a generous non-domestic rates relief package worth an estimated £864 million in 2026-27, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme which remains the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK and is confirmed for the next three years, as well as transitional relief schemes for eligible ratepayers. The Scottish Government values the contribution that the Hydro sector makes to the Scottish economy and to our low-carbon ambitions, and continues to offer the most generous rates relief in the UK for renewable generators, including hydro schemes.

The Scottish Government Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen/the North East comprises a multi-disciplinary team including expertise in consenting, planning and offshore wind development. The aim is for the hub to provide a single Scottish Government front-door for developers who are bringing forward applications for offshore wind development as well as associated onshore infrastructure and supply chain opportunities.

Work is progressing on hub activities related to engagement with offshore wind farm developers and wider stakeholders on consenting and planning, including providing guidance and seeking feedback on our processes.

The information which you have requested is as follows:

The Scottish Government have made no payments to the Global Disinformation Index (either as a grant or for goods or services) and no contracts have been awarded to this organisation.

It is noted that we do not hold spend data for our electronic Purchasing Card (ePC) – which is used for the purchase of low-value goods and services – for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019.

A link to the ePC policy is provided below for information:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-electronic-purchasing-card-epc-policy-2/

The unprecedented scale of the ICES-recommended pelagic TAC reductions for 2026, means there will be impacts across the pelagic supply chain.

Both processing and catching sector views and evidence have been analysed and wider market conditions have also been considered.

In considering cumulative impacts of TAC cuts and increased landing targets, Marine Directorate held focused discussions with processors, individual catching businesses, port authorities and representative bodies and carried out analysis of landings and socio-economic evidence to fully understand impacts and options. A series of statutory impact assessments, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) were produced. All related impact assessments are available online:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - BRIA

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document

Following international negotiations the UK, with relevant Coastal states, agreed on 16 December to significant 2026 quota reductions for key pelagic species (a 48% reduction in the North East Atlantic mackerel Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and a 22% reduction for herring).

Parliament was informed on 18 December of emergency measures for 2026, via a revision of economic link fishing licence conditions. This was the earliest opportunity to do so prior to the festive recess.

The same day, a letter was sent to the Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.

Related statutory impact assessments are available:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document

The Scottish Government has long committed to increasing the proportion of Scotland's key fish stocks landed into Scotland to strengthen economic benefits for coastal communities and safeguard processing capacity. As a result of processor calls (following the publication of pelagic TAC advice for 2026) for support in light of exceptional quota cuts for mackerel and herring in 2026, the Scottish Government engaged in a process to evaluate if action was in the public interest.

Marine Directorate held targeted discussions with processors, individual catching businesses, port authorities and representative bodies and carried out analysis of landings and socio-economic evidence to understand impacts and options. A series of statutory impact assessments were produced, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA), which can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - BRIA

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document

The (BRIA) sets out that Scottish Government intervention is being introduced to increase the proportion of mackerel and herring landed into Scotland during 2026. Without action, landings into Scotland will decrease significantly (a drop of around 60% for mackerel compared to 2024 landings is estimated), undermining local economies, reducing employment, increasing market volatility, and weakening investment in processing and port infrastructure.

The significant cuts in quota will have an impact across the supply chain, including the 21 vessel pelagic trawl fleet. Changes to economic link conditions will have no direct impact on the smaller (handline) pelagic vessels, with vessels under 10 metres in length exempt from these provisions.

This intervention is designed to be proportionate, targeted, and consistent with the Scottish Government’s Better Regulation principles. The policy will be kept under review and engagement maintained with pelagic industry sectors.

The Scottish Government recognises the value of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) water scarcity reporting to individuals and businesses. Weekly reports from May to September deliver timely information during the highest-risk period.

SEPA also collect data throughout the year and produce seasonal reports in autumn and winter which summarise rainfall patterns and water resource conditions providing early insight and preparation ahead of the spring and summer. SEPA’s autumn water situation report 2025 report was published in December 2025 and is publicly available on SEPA’s website. A winter situation report will follow in March 2026.