Flood-hit farmers receive £1M to help with recovery

The first payment of £1M has been paid by the government, to help farmers recover from last winter’s storms.

Over £1M has been paid out by the government to more than 180 flood-hit farmers, to help their businesses recover after last winter’s storms. Storms Desmond and Eva caused unprecedented flooding across the region.

The funding comes as part of the Farming Recovery Fund set up by the government, and will see an additional £9M allocated to a further 1,000 farmers across Northern England.

The money has helped farmers bring their land back to agricultural production through mending and replacing fences, stone walls and gates, and clearing debris deposited on land. Riverbanks that were damaged in the floods were all restored, and access to fields were reinstated.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “The Farming Recovery Fund was set up as part of a wider £250 million package of government support set up to help communities affected by the devastating December floods.

“I am delighted that over £1M of repairs have been completed and reimbursed by the government, helping flood-affected farmers get their businesses back on track to contribute to a thriving rural economy and world-leading food and farming industry.”

RPA Chief Executive Mark Grimshaw said: “I am pleased that we have been able to play our part in delivering the Farming Recovery Fund, approving applications that will help farmers recover from the effects of last year’s winter floods.

“With over £1M already paid to farmers who have claimed, I would encourage those who have had their applications approved, to send their claims for completed work to us before the end of December deadline.”

Grants of up to £20,000 were available to farmers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Northumberland, Yorkshire, County Durham and Greater Manchester. In total, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received over 1100 applications by the close of the application window on 15 April 2016.

 

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