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
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