Dairy farmers are
being asked for their views on how best to distribute England’s
£16m (€18m) share of the EU Dairy Fund in a consultation launched
by Defra today.
The fund is intended to help farmers who have been most affected
by changes in demand and prices over the last year.
Following discussions with the farming industry, the consultation
presents two options for providing help to farmers, keeping
administrative costs to a minimum, and supporting a competitive
dairy sector.
Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:
“Dairy farmers have faced a challenging year, dealing with the
economic climate which led to a drop in global demand and dairy prices.
“The UK has one of the most modernised and efficient dairy
sectors in the world, but this funding will provide some
additional stability for them. This is why we are seeking the
farming community’s views on the fairest way to distribute the EU
Dairy Fund.”
The suggested options for distributing the fund are:
a direct payment per litre of production from October 2008 to
September 2009; or
a payment per litre for the first 100,000 litres of production,
with an additional payment per litre over 100,000 litres from
October 2008 to September 2009.
The farming industry is being asked for their views by 17
February on which suggested option, or alternative suggestion
which has widespread industry support, will be most beneficial to
those farmers most affected by the changes in demand and prices.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will also consult on the
same options for distributing the EU Dairy Fund, and an agreed
approach will apply across the UK.
Notes to Editors
1. Further details on both options, as well as the EU Dairy Fund
can be found at:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dairy-fund/.
2. To ensure farmers receive the financial help as soon as
possible, the UK must report to the Commission by 31 March 2010 on
how the money will be spent. This means a four week consultation
is necessary.
3. The consultation will be open until 17 February 2010, and all
comments should be sent to dairy.consultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk
or by contacting 020 7238 3096 to arrange a submission by post.
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk