Guidance

Intervention schemes for agricultural products

Find out what an intervention scheme is and how farmers and traders can check if one is available for their product

This guidance was withdrawn on

This page has been replaced by a newer version. Go to: Intervention and Private Storage Aid schemes

Intervention schemes help to stabilise the prices of certain products. The schemes are funded by the EU and managed in the UK by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

Intervention schemes can be seasonal or in response to exceptional market conditions. When intervention is open for a product, farmers and traders are invited to offer eligible products for sale into intervention.

The products eligible for Intervention schemes and the dates the schemes are open are listed below. The European Commission decides on these dates and they can change depending on the market situation.

When the RPA is notified of changes, they are published on the Notice to Traders

Eligible products

Product Scheme Opening Dates
butter (unsalted) from 1st March to 31st December
skimmed milk powder from 1st March to 31st December
white sugar Closed
beef and veal from 1st January to 31st December
cereals (common wheat, durum wheat, barley and maize) from 1 November to 31 May
paddy rice Closed

For more information

Contact RPA

Email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

Helpline 03000 200 301

Relevant regulations

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 - establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products

Regulation (EU) No 1272/2009 - regarding buying-in and selling of agricultural products under public intervention

Updates to this page

Published 28 March 2014

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