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.

Grants of up to £20,000 per farm were made available to farmers in northern counties, and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received over 1,000 applications for funding in the spring.
 
The government has promised to pay out over £9 million to more than 1000 farmers across Northern England as part of its Farming Recovery Fund, set up after flooding in December and January - the result of Storms Desmond and Eva - caused damage in towns and countryside across Cumbria, Westmorland and parts of northern Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.
 
Recovery funds have been spent on:
 

• Mending and replacing fences, stone walls and gates,
• Clearing debris deposited on land,
• Restoring damaged river banks, and
• Reinstating field access.

 
Commenting on the payments made so far, Farming Minister George Eustice said,  
“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.”

Farmers who conducted repair work after flooding still have until December to apply for reimbursement from the government. Claims for completed repair work must be submitted to the RPA by 31 December 2016. Any farmer who is unable to meet the December deadline due to exceptional circumstances should contact the Rural Services Helpline.

Mark Grimshaw, Chief Executive of the RPA, which oversaw allocations under government recovery schemes, added, “I am pleased that we have been able to play our part in delivering the Farming Recovery Fund, approving applications that will help farmers recover from the effects of last year’s winter floods.

“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.”