Northumberland farmers react to £65m drought funding after hottest summer on record
Following a record-breaking hot summer and extreme dry weather, the Government has announced a £65m drought package for farmers.
According to the Met Office, this July was the driest since records began, while average temperatures across the whole summer were the highest on record.
The lack of rainfall has brought extreme challenges for farmers, hindering crop growth and affecting livestock feed, leading to economic losses and less food being produced here in the UK.
To address this, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Farming Minister Stephen Morgan announced a £65m drought package, which includes extra farming payments, funding for on-farm reservoirs, planning changes and improved access to water.
Northumberland farmers have welcomed the funding, but some are sceptical about exactly how much support will reach the county.
Cllr Mark Mather, who farms in Wooler, said the summer had brought “real challenges” for both arable and livestock farming.
He added: “It’s brilliant that the Prime Minister has recognised this, but I think that, for me, I’m a little sceptical. I think the devil’s in the detail. We haven’t seen the detail yet.
“My worry is for Northumberland, especially, is we haven’t actually been declared in drought. I’m concerned that Northumberland farmers will lose out again.”
Mark Robson, of Turvelaws Farm in Wooler, home of Particularly Good Potatoes, has been trying to get permission to install a reservoir for almost 20 years.
He welcomed the Government funding but believes more needs to be done to protect UK farming through practical help to make adaptations against extreme weather.
He said: “We all, as producers of food, know that climate change is happening and the weather will change, and we need to become resilient.
“For 18 years, we have been in our little corner of Northumberland, trying to get a reservoir in. The £65 million is phenomenal, but what we want is for a government to actually sit down and help.”
Mark expressed concern for the future of UK food production over the next decade if we don’t start to see real changes.
He added: “In my career, there’s 19,000 potato businesses gone out of business in the UK. There’s under 1,000 left in the UK.
“As a food producer, we just want locally grown food that is low carbon footprint and really well priced for the local communities.”