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Andy Burnham unveils 65million package for farmers at 'sharp end' of extreme weather

Visiting a farm in the Southwest of England on Saturday, Andy Burnham will meet farmers affected by the drought and set out how to support agriculture following the driest July on record

[Andy Burnham has unveiled fresh support for farmers]

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Andy Burnham has unveiled fresh support for farmers(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andy Burnham has warned farmers are at the sharp end of extreme weather as he unveiled new support including a 65million funding boost.

Food producers have been facing a series of challenges in recent weeks as large areas of the country are battered by heatwaves, low rainfall and drought.

Many have been forced to harvest crops early while others are seeing lower yields and lower quality produce.

Visiting a farm in the South West of England on Saturday, Mr Burnham will meet farmers affected by the drought and set out how to support agriculture following the driest July on record.

[Wildfires have spread to homes across the country]

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Wildfires have spread to homes across the country(Image: Getty Images)

The package will aim to support farmers who need to get water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass has failed and are struggling to continue environmental work without losing money.

He is expected to say: I am meeting with farmers here in the Southwest who brought in the earliest harvest of their working lives and watched the yield come in well down on what it should be. Lower income, higher costs, and no rain in the forecast. I understand the worry that comes with that.

The ability to grow our own food is national security, and I will treat it that way. So we are acting now: more money into farm support, help to get reservoirs built, and easier access to water when it is scarce.

This is the third drought in five years. Farmers are at the sharp end of a changing climate, and they should not be carrying that risk alone.

[Dry fields, as people queue to enter the Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire]

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Fields across farms in the UK have come dry amid the heatwaves(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Of the 65m, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) which sees farmers receive payments to support nature will receive an extra 50m for this years pot.

This will bring the total SFI budget to 290m, with the extra money prioritised for areas of greatest need during the drought, officials said.

Farmers will also get 15m in support for building on-farm reservoirs to provide supplies during future dry summers.

Officials said farmers will also see improved access to water during drought conditions, which will include support from the Environment Agency and simpler water access arrangements.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said: I am acutely aware of the pressures exceptionally dry weather is placing on farm businesses.

Our farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions in decades, which is why were stepping in with practical support to help them through these challenging conditions and build resilience for the future.

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