The stopping of school milk is a blow for Jersey's struggling agriculture industry, according to the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

The Department of Health announced in April that school milk would not be in the budget for 2003.

The department said it was advised by medical experts the money would be better spent on other projects for children.

Derek Frigot of the society has said it shows that States members have a bad attitude towards the health of the island's children.

Now they're talking about taking school milk away, which is another nail in the coffin

Derek Frigot

The Department of Health paid more than �180,000 for free school milk for 2002.

Farmers say the money is vital to the island's dairy industry.

But the department has been advised the money could be better used on projects such as programmes for children needing emotional support and exercise programmes.

Derek Frigot said politicians need to find the money for milk from somewhere because it is important for children's diet and Jersey's farming sector.

Amendment lodged

He said: "We're going through a horrendous time. We're having to sell our cows because there's too much milk being produced.

"We've had a downturn in tourism, so there's less milk being drunk, and now they're talking about taking school milk away, which is another nail in the coffin."

An amendment has been lodged to the 2003 budget, proposing the same money be paid to Agriculture and Fisheries by the Finance Committee to ensure that free school milk continues.