By Gordon Davidson
The provision of daily dairy for kids has been in jeopardy as Brexit approaches, because leaving the EU means local authorities in Scotland can no longer receive funding under the EU school milk scheme to subsidise their own local schemes – and the UK government has not committed to replace this money.
Having expressed its concerns over the potential loss of school milk, NFU Scotland was this week delighted to hear that the Scottish Government has stepped up to the plate and agreed to plug any funding gap should the UK Government fail to provide the necessary funds. To provide certainty to parents, schools and local authorities, it has committed funding of £722,000 this school year.
NFUS vice president Charlie Adam, who sits on the union’s milk committee, said: “Milk and dairy are a central plank in the health of Scotland’s schoolchildren. NFUS wrote to the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, in his role as Cabinet Secretary of Education and Skills voicing the concerns of our members in August when we first heard that the valued EU funded school milk project was to cease.
“We are delighted that Scottish Government has responded quickly to ensure the scheme continues.
“For some time Scottish Government has provided positive reassurances that it values the clear contribution milk and dairy products make to our children’s health and that it was working hard behind the scenes to mitigate the effects of the loss of the EU school milk scheme,” said Mr Adam. “Going forward, NFUS hope to work with Scottish Government to look at the school milk scheme post-2021 and how that will be best delivered to the nation’s schools.”
For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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