The Government confirmed in November 2019 that it would
extend its Farming Recovery Fund so farmers in parts of
South Yorkshire could apply for grants between £500 and
£25,000 to cover a number of repair costs, including
removing debris, re-cultivation and replacing damaged
field gates.
The Farming Recovery Fund is open for applications from
farmers with affected land in parts of South Yorkshire,
Gloucestershire and the Midlands. Affected farmers in
these areas are being encouraged to check GOV.UK to see
if they are eligible to claim.
The announcement followed significant overtopping of
flood defences and breaches in rivers occurred due to
the unprecedented rainfall and subsequent flooding in
parts of South Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and the
Midlands, including areas within Lincolnshire,
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.
The Farming Recovery Fund first opened in September
2019 with £2 million available to support farmers
affected by flooding in North Yorkshire and Wainfleet
in Lincolnshire over the summer. Today’s announcement
brings the total funding available this year up to £4
million, to help affected farmers get back on their
feet.
Environment Secretary said:
I saw first-hand the impacts of this devastating
flooding myself when visiting farmers in Lincolnshire
in November. I am delighted we’ve been able to extend
our Farming Recovery Fund to cover farmers in parts
of South Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and the Midlands
who were hit with unprecedented weather last year.
This scheme, coupled with the other measures we’ve
announced, will help farmers get back on their feet.
Rural Payments Agency Chief Executive Paul Caldwell
said:
We recognise there has been severe and unprecedented
weather this year, so the RPA is working hard to
offer advice and support to affected farmers to
complete their Farming Recovery Fund applications.
The Farming Recovery Fund provides support to farmers
following extreme flooding events, contributing to
the costs of the clean-up operation and to
uninsurable losses.
While insurance will pay out for the majority of the
damage, under the Farming Recovery Fund farmers will
be able to apply for money to help cover unexpected
costs – such as rebuilding fences and stone walls.
Farmers who have already repaired damage caused by the
flooding should keep records of all relevant evidence,
including receipts and before and after photos, in
order to help the RPA process eligible applications
promptly.
The application window for flood affected farmers in
North Yorkshire and Wainfleet in Lincolnshire which
opened in September 2019 closes on 31 March. The window
for this extension of the Fund will close on 31 July,
but farmers are encouraged to submit their applications
when they are able.
A
handbook has been published today on gov.uk
with full details of which areas are eligible, what is
covered and how to apply for funding. All farmers whose
land has been flooded can access existing guidance
around CAP payments on gov.uk.
Information about other forms of Government recovery
support, including the Business Support Grant and
Property Flood Resilience Recovery Support Scheme can
be found on gov.uk.
