Regulations and guidance

“What do I need to know as a small scale honey producer?”

Honey being slowly poured into a jar
Photo by Isabela Kronemberger
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Supporting small food producers across Scotland

The Small Producers Info Hub, supported by the Scottish Government, is designed to answer your questions about dos and don’ts in relation to food production in Scotland. There are many regulations that small producers – including crofters, smallholders and market gardeners – need to be aware of. This website spells them out in an accessible way. From planning permission and cattle tagging to tax regs and labelling, we’ve got you covered.

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Find sector-specific information

Browse resources by sector: livestock, market gardening, fish and seafood, fungi, bee-keeping, you name it.

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Tap into business expertise

Running a small business, getting funding, finding a market, while still remaining sane. It can be done!

Food sectors

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Vegetables laid out on display

Market gardening

An overview of the fundamentals of growing and selling plants
Seeds falling into a hessian sach

Seed production

Seed producers grow plants to both supply seed to farmers
Reddish brown chickens on the grass

Egg-laying hens

A guide to raising laying hens for egg production.
Cattle in a field in the evening

Cattle

From initial registering your herd through to the final product
Close up of a beehive with many bees

Beekeeping

From establishing and managing your own apiary to harvesting and
Black Pig on Green Grass Field

Pigs

From initial registering your pigs through to the final product
Close-up of Fresh Clams

Shellfish

Shellfish farmers cultivate bivalves, like mussels and oysters, in aquaculture
Sheep in a field

Sheep

Small producers rear sheep to produce meat and other products,

Business

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Data

Complying with data protection laws.
Sheep grazing near cliff

Land

Understanding your options with regard to land usage and land
Young woman planting seedlings in a field

Employing people

Understanding regulations and your responsibilities when employing people.
Person filling in tax form

Tax

Understanding your tax obligations as a small food producer.
Person working on accounts

Accounts

Understanding your accounting obligations as a small food producer.
Young healthy seedlings

Starting up

Creating and running a business from scratch.
Stack of documents

VAT

Understanding your VAT obligations as a small food producer.
Insurance policy document

Insurance

Understanding insurance for small food producers.
Sticky notes on a wall

Legal structure

As a small producer you have three main options regarding
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What are your unanswered questions?

We’re interested in what questions small producers in Scotland struggle to find answers to. Let us know of any unanswered queries you have about regulations, compliance and your rights as a small producer.

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