NFU Cymru is reminding dairy farmers that applications for the EU Conditional Aid Scheme for milk producers in Wales will close at midnight on 30th June 2017.

To qualify for a payment of £1800 per business, which will be made by the end of September this year, producers will need to complete and send in an online pro-forma questionnaire.

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru Dairy Board Chairman said “ Following the announcement of this Conditional aid scheme last year NFU Cymru impressed one Welsh Government the importance that every dairy producer in Wales should have the opportunity to access this EU hardship fund. As it is a conditional aid scheme, there are conditions set out by the EU as to how the £3.1 million allocated to Wales can be used, given these conditions I feel that this scheme is probably the best outcome that could have been achieved to meet that aspiration.

“Farmers participating in the scheme will get a report identifying their business strengths and any weaknesses with a comparison against industry performance indicators. I would hope that this will have benefits for the farm business, as the information will help focus the interventions that a farmer should prioritise to improve business performance.

I realise that many dairy producers will have already completed your forms but for those of you who are yet to do so, there is no time to waste as the deadline for submission is midnight on 30th June 2017.

“We have been assured of the individual anonymity of those sending their data and AHDB and Government will only publish collated date for comparative purposes. It will also provide useful, specific Welsh data related to milk production in this country.

“Depending on uptake, participating farmers who have or are committing to having a milk recording contract on their farms, will potentially qualify for further support. We are waiting for further details on this and expect to receive them next month.”