Over £1 million has been paid out by the government to more than 180 flood-hit farmers to help their business recovery after last winter’s storms.
In total more than £9 million will be allocated to over 1000 farmers across Northern England as part of the Farming Recovery Fund set up by the government.
The fund formed part of the response to the unprecedented flooding seen across the region last December in the wake of Storms Desmond and Eva.
The funds have helped farmers to bring their land back to agricultural production through mending and replacing fences, stone walls and gates, clearing debris deposited on land, restoring damaged river banks, and reinstating field access.
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 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," Mr Eustice said.
RPA Chief Executive Mark Grimshaw said: "With over £1 million 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."
'Cruicial in response to extreme weather'
CLA North Rural Adviser Libby Bateman said similar recovery funds will be "crucial" in response to extreme weather in the future and there have been some issues with the Farming Recovery Fund that should be improved.
"The priority is to create greater flexibility in the timings for carrying out work," Miss Bateman said.
"With scheme guidance advising that work must not begin until an offer letter is received, some farmers have had to carry out time-critical work at the risk of not getting reimbursed.
"Coupled with delayed BPS payments, this has put a great deal of additional pressure on farm finances. The implications of this situation will become clear as claims are considered.
"There have also been issues with river bank work, where there has at times been a lack of consistency in Environment Agency advice.
"The Environment Agency is bound by licence conditions that have been unworkable in these extreme circumstances, so this has created some challenges that should be reviewed for any future schemes," Miss Bateman said.
Flooding at Camp House Farm, Lancashire
Grants of up to £20,000 were available to farmers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Northumberland, Yorkshire, County Durham and Greater Manchester.
Storm Desmond caused major flooding at Camp House Farm with unprecedented levels of water covering the land.
It was assessed that at least 50% of the Applicant’s land was impacted by the flooding event.
The floods damaged and destroyed a vast amount of fencing – 1,500m, 5 field gates and gate posts. A considerable amount of debris was also deposited on the land which needed to be removed.
Work also had to be undertaken to rebuild the washed out river banks, repair a blocked pipe, bridge and track.
The Applicant was awarded a grant of £20,000 under the Farming Recovery Fund. All of the work except for 60m of replacement sheep netting was completed under contract.
In total, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received over 1100 applications by the close of the application window on 15 April 2016.
All farmers who applied to the Farming Recovery Fund have been notified of the outcome of their application.
The Agency is urging farmers to complete claims for repair work by 31 December 2016.
Any farmer who is unable to meet the December deadline due to exceptional circumstances should contact the Rural Services Helpline.
