The European Commission has agreed to allocate €300 million to help the dairy sector which has been affected by low prices for milk ex-farm. The UK share of the fund is €29.26 million. Based on production in 2008/09 the Northern Ireland share is €4.24 million. Commission Regulation EU No 1233/2009 which was published on 15 December 2009 sets out the implementing Rules. The monies must be used to support dairy farmers, the method of allocation must be notified to the Commission by 31 March 2010 and payments must be made by 30 June 2010. The Department is consulting milk producer representatives on how to distribute the monies. The deadline for responses is 17 February 2010. A similar consultation is taking place in England, Scotland and Wales.
20 January 2010
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