As outdoor businesses face the aftermath of floods, and forecasters warn of more thunderstorms and flash floods before hotter weather, the Government and rural charities have offered support to farmers affected.
Environment Minister Theresa Villiers has announced that £2 million in funding will be made available as part of a package of measures designed to help the victims of the recent flooding around the country.
The funding will be available through a scheme modelled on the Farming Recovery Fund, which operated in 2015/16 for farmers in Cumbria to claim for uninsurable losses incurred as a result of the heavy rain and flooding.
Meanwhile, the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) charity will donate £50,000 of its emergency fund to farmers affected by the flooding in North Yorkshire through farming charity The Addington Fund.
The organisation is also working with Forage Aid to provide forage and bedding to those in need, while the PCF is working with the Dry Stone Wall Association to provide trained volunteers to farmers to help them rebuild dry stone walls in areas affected by flooding.
Moreover, members of a Young Farmers’ association in Buckinghamshire have clubbed together to gather donations from local farmers to help farmers in Yorkshire affected by the heavy rain.
Many farmers in Swaledale, Arkengarthdale and towns around Lincolnshire, have suffered devastating effects, such as a significant impact on the infrastructure of their farms and outbuildings. Research has suggested that up to 20 local farms in North Yorkshire, and several businesses near Wainfleet, will apply for the funding.
Meanwhile, as part of the same funding package, the Government’s emergency Bellwin scheme has been activated so that it can reimburse local councils like Richmondshire and North Yorkshire for extra costs spent on items including rest centres, temporary accommodation and staff overtime.