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After writing “I hope you heard about the five million pound package we announced” and finding that I had not – nor could a websearch reveal any reference to this by James Paice – Caroline Spelman emailed FDF a copy of this letter to colleagues sent before the Westminster meeting this week, in which the £5 million is the first action listed.
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Dear Colleague,
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As you will be aware there is a delegation of dairy farmers coming to Westminster today for a meeting on milk prices. You may be invited to meet representatives from your local constituency or speak to your local media, accordingly please find below five actions which this Government is taking to help dairy farmers.
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Action being taken by the Government to support dairy farmers:
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- Today Jim Paice, Farming Minister, attended the NFU-organised ‘dairy summit’ at Central Hall at which he announced that the Government will provide up to £5 million in additional funds under the Rural Economy Grant scheme for high quality projects from the dairy industry, which can help producers to increase their competitiveness and added value to boost their market returns. The scheme will launch in the autumn, which will give farmers time to develop bids that can make a real difference.
- We are working closely with industry to drive forward the agreement of a voluntary code of practice between dairy farmers and purchasers to establish improved contractual terms and conditions including greater price transparency.
- We are introducing the Grocery Code Adjudicator in this Parliamentary session which will protect suppliers by ensuring that large retailers treat them fairly by upholding the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.
- We will enable farmers to establish Producer Organisations in accordance with the EU Dairy Package, which this Government supported. As well as giving them greater power to negotiate contracts (including price) it is a crucial means by which farmers can come together to improve their market orientation, efficiency, competitiveness, profitability and therefore long-term sustainability.
- We have completed a thorough audit of needless red tape and bureaucracy in farming through the McDonald Review which came back with over 200 recommendations. We are in the process of implementing those recommendations.”
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Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Editor: It seems probable that more details may be found on this site: http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources
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Food concerns 
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