Defra has released more details of funding available for farmers affected by this year's floods.

Earlier in the month, when flooding in the South West and along the Thames was at its worst, the Prime Minister announced that farmers whose businesses have been directly affected by flooding would be given access a £10 million support fund. On Tuesday, farming minister George Eustice announced that the funding will be available from Friday (28^th February).

According to Defra, the government fund will be available to help farmers with four key areas of recovery, including offering support with uninsured losses to get farms into production again. These areas are:

• the restoration of productive grassland;
• the restoration of productive arable and horticultural land;
• restoring farm vehicle access to fields;
• improvements to agricultural drainage.

Those affected by flooding will have access to emergency funding of up to £5,000 each, covering up to 100 percent of their business costs.

The majority of the Farming Recovery Fund will be reserved for farm businesses whose farms remain flooded. Unlike the initial grant, the upper limit of this funding will be set when the impact on these longer term losses from flood damage are clearer, once the flood waters recede.

Earlier in February, whilst floods in the South East were worsening, and much of the Somerset levels had been under water for over a month, groups of farmers from around the country set out on mercy missions and arranged for fodder and seeds to be delivered to farmers once the immediate flood danger has subsided. Uniting under the banner of 'tractor-aid', farmers said they felt compelled to help those hit by severe flooding, with many mentioning a perceived lack of government action to protect their counterparts in the South West as a motivating factor in their aid operations.

On Tuesday, farming minister George Eustice said, "We want to help farmers affected by flooding and the severe weather to get their businesses back on track as soon as possible. The new £10 million Farming Recovery Fund has been set up to help farmers directly affected meet short term costs as the flood waters recede.

"Additionally, the £10 million Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will offer eligible farmers grants of up to £35,000 on schemes designed to make businesses more resilient."

Defra has released guidance for those applying for grants under the Farming Recovery Fund. In order to apply for funding, farmers should contact Defra’s Rural Development Team, by emailing frf@defra.gsi.gov.uk or calling 0300 060 2700 from Friday.