A FARMER from Devon is calling on the government to release funds from the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers in the south west. 

James Wright, a rural campaigner who farms on Exmoor, has called on the Labour government to help out the farming community after record rainfall this year. 

He explained that ten counties across the UK experienced their wettest month on record, and this affects farmers with crop losses, an inability to plant next year's crops and losses of livestock and winter fodder. 

James said: "Labour is already discussing cuts to the agricultural budget, but this money is simply sitting in a DEFRA bank account. It could be made available today to support those who need it most.

"Now is not the time for budget cuts; we must invest in our agricultural sector to safeguard our food supply and the future of farming in the South West."

James explained that there are still funds available that could be used to help farmers with the impact of recent rainfall.  He is calling on labour to 'prioritise the livelihoods of rural communities'. 

The Farming Recovery Fund provides farmers with grants of up to £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was in before it was damaged by water caused by high river flooding from Storms Babet (October 19 to 25 2023) and Henk (January 2 to 12 2024) or exceptional rainfall in the period October 2023 to March 2024.

A spokesperson for Defra said: “Flooding devastates communities and livelihoods, and we recognise more must be done to protect farms and rural homes.

“It’s why we are working at pace, including with input from representatives of the farming sector, to accelerate the building of flood defences through our new Flood Resilience Taskforce.

“All farmers eligible for the initial Farm Recovery Fund set up in April have been offered payment, with further information on the scheme set out in due course.”