Free school milk for younger pupils in Ceredigion and across Wales could be discontinued under proposals being considered by the Welsh Government.

Ministers have launched a 10-week consultation on whether to establish a replacement school milk scheme or end the existing programme when its current delivery arrangements expire next year.

The School Milk Subsidy Scheme currently provides free milk to children in Reception to Year 2, with subsidised milk available to pupils in Years 3 to 6. However, the Rural Payments Agency, which administers the programme on behalf of the Welsh Government, will stop providing the service after 31 March 2027.

The scheme has operated since 1977 and currently costs approximately £3 million annually. Welsh Government figures show 81,374 pupils received milk through the scheme on the 2024/25 school census day, representing around 30 per cent of those eligible.

One option would see the programme replaced by a Welsh Government-funded scheme administered through local authority education grants. Alternatively, the dedicated scheme could be discontinued.

Ministers say milk would remain available through existing primary school breakfast and lunchtime provision, regardless of the outcome.

However, a government impact assessment acknowledges that discontinuing the scheme could reduce demand for milk supplied to schools, potentially affecting Welsh dairy farmers, processors and suppliers. It also identifies possible inequalities in access, particularly among children from lower-income households.

Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan said she wanted decisions about the scheme's future to be based on the fullest possible evidence.

She encouraged parents, schools, pupils and representatives of the dairy industry to contribute to the consultation.

The Welsh Government says responses will help determine whether a dedicated school milk scheme should continue and how any replacement would operate.

The consultation closes on 4 January 2027.