Some welcome news for hard-pressed dairy farmers whose incomes have been seriously affected by the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Defra has announced that it is extending the deadline for applications for financial support through the Dairy Response Fund. Dairy farmers now have until Friday, September 11 to submit their claims.
The fund was set up to help dairy farmers overcome significant challenges brought about by the restrictions imposed during the outbreak such as excess milk, plummeting prices and a sharp drop in demand from bars, restaurants, cafes and other businesses in the hospitality sector.
Eligible farmers are entitled to up to £10,000 each. The amount of the payment made will be calculated on around 70% of the applicant’s losses from actual milk sales during April and May. The fund, which is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), applies to dairy producers in England only. If you are a dairy farmer in Wales, you should contact the Rural Payments Wales Contact Centre.
On a less positive note, feedback from farmers who have already made their application suggests that some of those most in need were deemed to be ineligible for the schemes. The NFU has taken up the baton and has asked Defra to “reconsider the eligibility criteria of the Dairy Response Fund to ensure these farmers can access the support they urgently need.”
To check your eligibility for the fund and to download the application form, head on over to Defra’s Dairy Response Fund 2020 website page.
