The Welsh Dairy Support Scheme

Part of 3. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 12:43 pm on 24 June 2020.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 12:43, 24 June 2020

Yes, sorry—apologies. Apologies to all.

I just wanted to say that, whilst I'm disappointed that the Welsh Government hasn't found the money to increase horticulture production at this important growing season, given that food security in fruit and veg in Wales is dangerously low at 1 per cent, and we don't know what's going to happen in the future as a result of coronavirus in terms of imports, nevertheless, I do welcome the scheme to provide the compensation to small dairy farmers who've lost 25 per cent or more of their income because of the closure of cafes and restaurants.

I wonder if you could tell us what progress has been made on increasing capacity to convert the surplus milk into cheese and butter, and to use the EU public intervention scheme to store milk, butter and cheese in order to prevent milk being poured down the drain in future. Also, I wonder if you can just tell us what the total amount set aside for the dairy rescue scheme is.