5th May 2017

Roger Parry & Partners is encouraging English and cross-border dairy farmers to apply for funding from the new Small Dairy Farmer scheme before the deadline of 31 May 2017.

A fund of approximately £8.5 million has recently been made available to support small dairy farmers in England. The scheme will provide a one-off payment to eligible farmers who choose to apply.

There are two eligibility requirements for the one-off payment:
• Annual cows’ milk production of up to one million litres in the April 2015 – April 2016 milk year.
• Still in milk production

The scheme is for producers in England only. However, if you are a cross-border farmer in Wales you may apply if the majority of your land is based in England and you received your Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2016 payment from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

Richard Corbett, Partner at Roger Parry & Partners said, “We are urging dairy producers to apply as soon as possible to ensure they get their share of this funding which comes from an £8.5million slice of the EU Exceptional Aid package. As always we are on hand to help with the application process if dairy producers need assistance.”

The RPA will not know the rate per litre until after the closing date, on 31 May, as it is dependent on the number of applicants. Payments will be capped at 500,000 litres of cows’ milk production and farmers must be registered on Rural Payments to get the money, which should arrive in bank accounts by the end of July 2017.

Roger Parry & Partners appreciate that dairy producers are busy on the farm so are on hand to help make the application to the fund. Please call Richard Corbett, in the Oswestry office on 01691 655334 to make an appointment.