£1 million in funding for flood-hit farmers

Over £1million has been paid out by the government to more than 180 flood-hit farmers to help their business recovery after last Winter’s storms.

The Farming Recovery Fund will eventually see more than £9million allocated to over 1,000 farmers across Northern England as part of the response to the unprecedented flooding seen across the region last December in the wake of Storms Desmond and Eva.

The finances are being used to mend and replace fences, stone walls and gates, clear debris deposited on land, restore damaged river banks, and reinstate field access.

The application for funding closed in April 2016, with grants worth up to £20,000 being issued to farmers in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, County Durham and Greater Manchester. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received over 1,100 applications.

George Eustice, the government’s Farming Minister, 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 £1million 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.”