AQW 3764/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 29/09/2022
Answered On Date: 26/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the School Milk Subsidy Scheme provides non-dairy substitutes for children with a dairy intolerance.

Answer:

The operation of the School Milk Subsidy Scheme is governed by retained EU legislation, which provides that the subsidy is payable for the supply of drinking milk and other specified milk-based products. Primary legislation would be needed to bring the supply of non-dairy alternatives within the scope of the Scheme, I have no current plans to bring such legislation forward. Lactose free and lactose reduced milk are permitted within the rules of the Scheme.