No guarantee over unique Welsh school milk scheme following Brexit

The future of a free school milk scheme will be assessed as part of the discussions around departure from the European Union.

Plaid Cymru wrote to the Welsh Government after concerns were raised by the School and Nursery Milk Alliance that Brexit could result in the end to involvement in the EU School, Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme that provides subsidised milk.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, in the Labour led administration, Kirsty Williams has stated: ‘We will explore options for the future of the scheme, as part of our wider consideration around departure from the EU.’

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs Simon Thomas said:

“Despite scoffing by Leave campaigners, subsidised school milk could be snatched from our children’s hands because of a lack of milk subsidies after Brexit. The Welsh Government have given no guarantee over the future of a subsidised school milk scheme.

“We have had no guarantees on whether EU funding will be replaced after we leave the European Union, nor about the risk to Welsh food brands.

“Providing school milk gives Welsh dairy farmers a regular market when they suffer from the impact of fluctating milk prices.

“A commitment from the Welsh Government to support post-Brexit school milk subsidies would help ensure the development of a new scheme.”

Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales AM and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning added: “The benefits of subsidised milk for our school children is clear to see. The Labour led Welsh Government should show their commitment and ensure that children in schools across Wales do not have their subsidised milk snatched from them after Brexit.”

The Welsh Government pays the Rural Payments Agency to administer the school milk scheme on its behalf. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leads on discussions with the European Union (EU) on the scheme, on behalf of the UK Government and the devolved administrations. In Wales we will continue to participate in the existing EU school milk scheme.

The Welsh Government introduced regulations in 2001 to enable milk to be supplied to Foundation Phase pupils aged 5 to 7 years at no charge to parents.

This scheme is unique to Wales. Children at Key Stage 2 have to pay for their milk, but the cost is subsidised by the EU and Welsh Government.