Julian Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, has visited farmers in his constituency affected by the recent flooding in the aftermath of Storm Eva which caused significant damage to homes, businesses and farm land.
Julian Smith spoke to the farmers from Ellenthorpe and the surrounding area about the Farming Recovery Fund which is being made available to those who have been affected by the flooding over Christmas in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Northumberland. There is a maximum grant of £20,000 available for those who have been affected and are suffering from uninsurable losses.
The MP also discussed what can be done in the future to help those farming so close to rivers, such as the River Swale, which are flooding more regularly than in previous years. Julian Smith will be writing to the Environment Agency to ask about what steps can be taken to ensure that flooding of this land does not become an annual occurrence, whether that is through more regular dredging of the river bed or improved drainage.
Julian Smith said: ‘It is terrible to see the affect that flooding has on local communities and I have been visiting some of the worst affected areas and giving my support to those who are having to repair the damage. In my meeting with farmers I was shocked to hear how regularly the lowest-lying fields are flooding and I will be looking into how this can be reduced in the future. It was excellent news that the Farming Recovery Grant is being made available following Storm Eva and I would encourage those affected to visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/farming-recovery-fund-extended-to-all-parts-of-lancashire-and-yorkshire for more information about eligibility and how to apply for the grant.’
