Covid-19: Dairy funding scheme to open for applications
3rd June 2020
A scheme offering dairy farmers up to £10,000 each as a result of the Covid-19 crisis will open for applications on 18th June, the government has confirmed.
A scheme offering dairy farmers up to £10,000 each as a result of the Covid-19 crisis will open for applications on 18th June, the government has confirmed.
Farmers in England who suffered 25 per cent prices losses in April and May will be able to apply for a single payment from the fund.
The funding will be paid out from 6th July and aims to help farmers maintain production capacity without impacts to animal welfare, after the closure of restaurants, bars and cafes caused chaos for the sector.
Eligible farmers can apply for support to cover up to 70 per cent of losses suffered due to the disruption, up to a total amount of £10,000 each.
Farming minister Victoria Prentis said: “Our dairy farmers have a vital role to play in feeding the nation and we want to ensure they are fully supported at this difficult time.
“The application process for our new dairy fund will begin shortly, helping farmers who have suffered losses to get the financial assistance they need to keep production going.
“There is no cap set on the number of farmers who can receive this support or on the total funding available, and we will do everything we can to help our farmers at this time.”
Applicants will need to demonstrate that they suffered a reduction in the base price paid for their milk of 25 per cent or more in April 2020, compared to February 2020. Applications can be submitted directly to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) from 18th June.
Further details on the application process will be shared by the RPA in the coming weeks but farmers who think they will be eligible can begin preparing the details of their production levels for February, April and May 2020.
