To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, given the difficulties caused by the shutdown of the hospitality industry due to COVID-19, whether he will commit to industry-specific financial assistance for dairy farmers.

Our dairy farmers, along with others in the agri-food supply chain, have been working extremely hard to maintain an effective and efficient supply of food at this critical time, and I am fully aware of the many challenges they are currently facing.

I and my officials are meeting with industry stakeholders on a regular basis to hear and discuss their concerns. My officials are continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the dairy sector and are assessing the need for specific financial assistance to support this sector. They are in close and regular contact with Defra as these issues are by no means unique to Northern Ireland and there is a requirement to co-ordinate efforts across the UK.

I am also in regular contact with my Ministerial counterparts across the other Devolved Administrations, and this is particularly important should we need to present a case to HM Treasury for funding. In addition, I will continue to liaise with our Finance Minister on additional Executive funding that may be required in the coming months to help support the agricultural industry at this time.

Dairy farmers, who have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, are also able to avail of the support measures that have already been announced by Government. These include the Self Employed Income Support Scheme, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

Further details on the COVID 19 support measures for businesses and employers can be found on the NI Business Info website www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk. These details are updated and added to on a regular basis.

Just last week, a £1 million UK wide promotional campaign has also been launched to help increase sales of dairy products by encouraging the public to drink more milk. I am pleased to say that DAERA have contributed to the funding of this campaign along with the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), Dairy UK, Defra, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government.