Wales’ Dairy Support Scheme Set to Open

Wales’ Dairy Support Scheme Set to Open

Applications for the new Welsh dairy support scheme will open soon, supporting farmers hardest hit by the recent exceptional market conditions due to COVID-19.

Wales’ dairy sector has felt the immediate impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with the closure of the food service and hospitality sectors. The Welsh Dairy Support Scheme, developed by working with the industry, has been designed to support dairy producers to maintain production capacity during this challenging period.

Eligible dairy farmers will need to demonstrate they have suffered a reduction of 25% or more in the average price paid for their milk in April and subsequently May, when compared to February 2020. They will be entitled to up to £10,000, to cover around 70% of their lost income to help them to continue to meet fixed costs and sustain production capacity without impacts on animal welfare and the environment.

Farmers will need to provide their Milk Statement covering February, April and May 2020 as supporting documentation. The Welsh Government believes the mid-June application opening period will enable eligible farmers to gather all their statements ready to support their application. Online guidance will be available to support this process.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said:

‘Our Welsh dairy support scheme is there to support the hardest hit by market conditions resulting from this pandemic and ensure they can continue to operate without impacting on their high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.

‘I would encourage this core group of dairy farmers to apply for this one off payment through RPW Online to help offset some of financial impacts they have experienced.’

Applications will open on 18 June 2020. The deadline to apply will be 14 August 2020.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.