School milk carries on

21 July 2000

School milk carries on

PRIMARY school children will continue to benefit from subsidised milk after EU farm ministers voted unanimously to continue the scheme.

Welcoming the councils decision on Monday night, EU farm commissioner, Franz Fischler, said the new rules would "enhance cost effectiveness, while preserving our broader health and nutritional policy objectives".

Currently the commission pays 95% of the target price, equivalent to about 3.3p for each third-of-a-pint supplied to schools. But that is due to fall to 75% from next January, with government having the option to top-up from its own resources or by a levy on the dairy sector.