Missing out on EU milk
Missing out on EU milk
MORE than 15,000 primary school children in Birmingham alone are missing out on EU-subsidised milk, according to research by The Dairy Council at the start of its School Milk campaign.
Most Local Education Authorities provide free milk for children up to five years old, but are unaware of or unwilling to apply for subsidised milk for children up to 11 years old, said the councils Michele Stephens.
"The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness among parents, head teachers and school nurses about the importance of school milk and to show that milk can be received through the EU scheme or direct from dairies." Milk costs £7/child/term when subsidised.
"Many teachers are reporting children having headaches and reduced concentration because they are suffering from dehydration," she added.
A leaflet entitled Is Your Child Missing Out? shows parents who to contact when campaigning for the introduction of school milk. One head teacher from Warks is also quoted in the leaflet explaining the benefits to childrens health and concentration after a drink of milk at break-time.
The campaign will finish in April 2002. Contact the Dairy Council for campaign literature (020-74997822 or www.milk.co.uk). *