The UK government has agreed to hand £2.3million to support hard-pressed farmers in Scotland hit by low milk prices and other produce.
As part of a UK-wide aid package worth £26.2million, the government said the average payment for Scottish dairy farmers could be up to £2,620 per farmer.
The government said the aid package was “the third largest of all the member states” in the European Union.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “We recognise that many farmers are suffering financial difficulty at the moment and the support announced today will offer some relief.
Defra will also launch an industry-led review of best practice in the dairy supply chain facilitated by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
The Environment Secretary will also lead a trade delegation to China in November, including eight British dairy businesses, to promote quality British products to this growing market. This visit is part of Defra’s commitment to expand export market opportunities – which grew to a record £1.4billion for dairy in 2014.
