Funding for farmers and rural communities hit by flooding

Friday 18 December 2009

FUNDING of £500,000 is being made available from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to help Cumbrian farmers get their land back into use after the November floods.

Following discussions with Defra, the NWDA and Cumbria County Council, grants will be available from Cumbria’s two Local Action Groups (LAGs): the Solway, Border and Eden LAG and the Fells and Dales LAG.

Farmers can apply for grants of up to £6,800 to hire equipment or specialist contractors to move debris from their land such as fridges and vehicles, repair structures damaged by flooding and remove gravel to the edge of fields.

The LAGs are responsible for allocating funding from the RDPE in their local community and are managed by the NWDA through Cumbria County Council.

A further £1.2million will be made available by the LAGs to help flooded businesses and farmers rebuild trade, fund tourism initiatives and fund other needs which arise over the next year.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: “The effects of the extreme weather in Cumbria have caused a lot of distress and made life difficult for many people, including farmers. I have visited farmers to see the problem for myself, and their Member of Parliament, Tony Cunningham, has also briefed me on the need for help. Many farmers have been severely affected, with large quantities of stones and other debris washed onto their fields.

"In the short term, the funding will be a big help to farmers to make their land usable again and to allow livestock back to graze. We will continue to work with local farmers to find the best way to dispose of, or re-use, the gravel and debris left behind.”

Floods Recovery Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The Government remains committed to doing all we can to support Cumbria at this difficult time and for the farming industry.

"This support from the NWDA, alongside £1million from Communities and Local Government and support from other Whitehall Departments will help the people and businesses in Cumbria who need it most."

The NWDA has worked with the LAGs to identify what help is needed by farmers and to make funding available.

David Hunter, Head of Rural Development at the NWDA, said: “Many farmers have been directly affected by flooding and have told us their immediate need is to remove debris from their land. This is costly and farmers need to get their businesses working again. I am pleased that following discussions we can make these funds available from today.”

Additionally, the NWDA has committed £1million to help small businesses in Cumbria affected by the flooding and has granted Cumbria Tourism £100,000 to promote the message that ‘Cumbria is open for business’.

Sam Bramwell, Acting Programme Manager for Solway, Border and Eden, said: “Solway Border and Eden LAG have received proposals to assist Cockermouth and its surrounding areas in its longer term recovery and development, and farm and forest businesses in the immediate clear up. We are able to contribute to both and hope that the funds available will help to make a real difference.”

Adrian Banford, Programme Manager for Fells and Dales, said: “The Fells and Dales Local Action Group are glad to be able to step in and fund much needed actions, that no-one else could fund. We are here to deliver development and expansion opportunities to farmers diversifying or adding value to their products.

The Local Action Groups are also treating as a priority any other areas of activity that will support businesses and communities in the flooded area.

The application form and guidance are on the NWDA website www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe and the Cumbria County Council website www.cumbria.gov.uk

Farmers can contact the Local Action Groups as a matter of priority to discuss how best to apply for the funds.
Solway, Border and Eden
T: 01697 349212
E: info@sbeleader.org.uk
Fells and Dales
T: 01768 869533
E: info@fellsanddales.org.uk

It is particularly important to contact the Local Action Groups to discuss needs where the cost of clearance has been estimated to exceed £6,800. Defra is exploring the scope for further support for those farmers whose costs may exceed this figure of £6,800.