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EU Aid for Fruit and Vegetable Producers
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The EU Producer Organisation Scheme provides EU aid to recognised producer organisations operating in the fruit vegetablesector. It aims to improve the bargaining power of producers by becoming part of a larger supply base and improve the sustainability of fruit and vegetables production.
The scheme is designed to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the EU and support efforts to protect the environment.
Producer Organisations have to be recognised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and consist of a minimum of five or more active producers, with a combined value of marketable production of at least €2.5million. The Producer Organisation can submit an operational programme for EU assistance for a 3-5 year duration impelementing eligible measures and actions.
The Producer Organisation must comply with the conditions of the scheme.
Objectives eligible for EU assistance are listed in the National Strategy for Sustainable Operational Programmes 2017-2022 and include:
Operational programmes must include 2 or more environmental actions or at least 10% of the expenditure under operational programmes.
The maximum amount of EU assistance a producer organistion can claim is limited to 4.1% of its value of marketed production.
Expenditure incurred on eligible measures can attract up to 50% EU assistance.
The Producer Organisation must submit its application for EU financial aid for each calendar year of its approved programme by 15 February of the following year. This must be submitted using the application form HORT PO AP 4 available from the Department.
The Department pays EU financial assistance by 15 October of the year after each completed annual cycle of the programme.
For further information please email POScheme@agriculture.gov.ie