Parents, schools and the dairy industry are being asked for their views on the future of free and subsidised school milk in Wales.

A 10-week consultation launched by the Welsh Government on Monday, October 26, will consider whether a new Welsh school milk scheme should be introduced from April next year or whether the current provision should be discontinued.

The existing School Milk Subsidy Scheme provides free milk to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, with subsidised milk available to pupils in Years 3 to 6.

The scheme is administered by the Rural Payments Agency on behalf of the Welsh Government, but the agency will stop providing the service in Wales after March 31, 2027.

Whatever the outcome of the consultation, milk will continue to be available to primary school children through breakfast clubs and at lunchtime as part of the Universal Primary Free School Meals offer.

The consultation will also feed into wider work on developing a National Food Strategy for Wales, which is expected to consider how more Welsh produce can be used across the food system, including in schools.

Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said milk had long played a part in supporting the health and wellbeing of younger pupils.

She said the government wanted decisions about its future to be based on the fullest possible evidence, and encouraged schools, parents, pupils and people working in farming and dairy to take part.

The consultation runs for 10 weeks. Details and how to respond are available on the Welsh Government website.