EU Milk Scheme Changes Coming to England

UK - From 1 August, all secondary schools will be eligible to participate in the EU School Milk Scheme, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced today.

16 July 2008

1 minute read

In England, the EU subsidy will be offered to parents on plain and flavoured milk and plain yoghurt in both primary and secondary schools.

The aim of the scheme is to expand the market for milk and milk products by encouraging children (aged between 5-11 years) to consume milk and milk products and develop a lasting habit of doing so.

Aid is paid on milk and yoghurt supplied to school children at reduced prices. Since 2001 the scheme has been jointly funded by the EC and the UK. The RPA pays the full cost of milk for Key Stage 1 pupils in Wales on behalf of the National Assembly. There is some overlap with the Department of Health’s Welfare Food Scheme.

The Government will also top up the EU subsidy which is paid to claimants in English primary schools. The top up will not be offered to claimants in secondary schools at this stage.

Defra will carry out a consultation in the autumn about the range of products offered as part of the scheme in future and on options for the national top up in England.