Farming flood recovery fund area and deadline extended

The government has extended its Farming Recovery Fund for flood-hit growers and livestock producers.

Originally launched to help farmers hit by Storm Desmond in Cumbria, Northumberland and parts of Lancashire, the fund has been extended to cover all of Lancashire and Yorkshire too.

It means farmers hit by flooding from Storm Eva on Christmas and Boxing Day can now also apply for grants of up to £20,000 to cover uninsurable losses.

See also: More misery for farmers as further floods hit UK

Grants, available via the Rural Payments Agency, can be used to help restore soils, rebuild tracks and repair flood channels.

Defra secretary Liz Truss said: “We have witnessed further unprecedented flooding which will have serious consequences for farmers.

“We remain committed to providing practical support to those farmers affected.”

Farmers needed to know that the government was ready to offer relief when the worst happened so producers could focus on their recovery, said Ms Truss.

In addition the Rural Payments Agency would not carry out inspections in flooded areas.

It would also make use of any flexibility in cross-compliance and animal movement rules to help affected farmers.

The Farming Recovery Fund initially opened for applications on 18 December.

The deadline for applications has now been extended from 18 March 2016 to 1 April 2016 to allow farmers in the newly affected areas time to apply.

Once all checks are completed, the RPA will aim to make payments against valid claims directly into bank accounts within five working days.

Farmers affected by flooding will be able to claim grants of £500-£20,000 to cover the cost of restoring their farmland.

This includes:

• the restoration of productive stock proof grassland
• the restoration of productive arable and horticultural land
• the restoration of field access or trackways, fencing or gates or water troughs
• the restoration of drainage on flood-damaged holdings
• damage to agricultural machinery that cannot be insured
• damage to agricultural buildings that cannot be insured

Funding would include resiting or relocation on the basis of improved positioning away from river edges, raising parapets or relocating to a less vulnerable access point in the field.

Meanwhile, Natural England is also temporarily lifting requirements that normally apply to environmental stewardship agreements and protected sites.

Farmers can find the Farming Recovery Fund application form and guidance online. Farmers can also contact the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.

See Government guidance for farmers who have lost livestock as a result of the floods.