Farmers can now access £10,000 coronavirus funding
England’s dairy farmers will be able to access up to £10,000 each to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The new funding will help support dairy farmers – who together continue to produce over 40 million litres of milk every day – who have seen decreased demand for their products as bars, restaurants and cafes have had to close.
Today’s announcement is the latest action from the government to support dairy farmers, building on the unprecedented levels of support already announced by the Chancellor and our recent action to temporarily relax some elements of UK competition law to allow suppliers, retailers and logistics providers in the dairy industry to work more closely together on some of the challenges they are facing.
With some dairy farmers facing financial difficulties and excess milk, the new fund will provide support for those most in need. Eligible dairy farmers will be entitled to up to £10,000 each, to cover 70% of their lost income during April and May to ensure they can continue to operate and sustain production capacity without impacts on animal welfare.
It also comes as the government today backed a £1 million campaign to boost milk consumption and help producers use their surplus stock.
Andy welcomed the Government's announcement:
I’m absolutely delighted that that the Government has listened to the concerns I, along with farmers in the Cheshire community have raised over the past few weeks. The dairy industry in my constituency and across the country is so important to our economy and supply chains, keeping food on our tables throughout this pandemic.
No cap has been set on the number of farmers who can receive this support or on the total funding available, and I'm looking forward to working with the farming community to make sure they can access this scheme easily.
Further information:
- The new hardship fund announced today can be accessed by eligible dairy farmers in England. More detail on the fund will be issued in due course
- The new AHDB dairy campaign is jointly funded by Dairy UK, Defra, the Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive and will be implemented across the UK
- The temporary relaxation of competition rules for the dairy industry is effective across the UK
