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INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 226/08
Date: 16 July 2008

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Changes to the EU School Milk Scheme in England

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.

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 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.

Notes to Editors

  1. Under the EU School Milk Scheme, a small EU subsidy (currently worth about 3p per 200 ml serving) may be paid.  A small national top up is paid in addition to this (currently worth about 0.8p per 200 ml serving) in primary schools.  Parents often have to pay about 18p per 200 ml serving.

  2. Revised rules for the EU School Milk Scheme were published on 11th July 2008. The revised rules extend the coverage of the Scheme to include secondary schools and revise the list of products eligible for subsidy.  Schools participating in the Scheme are required to display a poster in their entrance hall advertising the subsidy.

  3. The EU School Milk Scheme is administered by the Rural Payments Agency.  Information about the Scheme is available at:
    www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/293a8949ec0ba26d80256f65003bc4f7/673ff09985ff29ff80256f72003d5b0c!OpenDocument

  4. Until now, the Scheme has only been available in the UK to children in primary schools.  Children in Nursery Schools are eligible for free milk under the Nursery Milk Scheme operated by the Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4069889

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Page published: 16 July 2008

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs