Cautious welcome for key £65m funding to support farmers through droughts

However, a leading Conservative councillor has warned more information is needed.

New measures will be brought in to protect crops and keep livestock fed after one of the driest summers on record with droughts recorded across the country.

Hexham’s Labour MP Joe Morris said it showed the Government was “serious” about working with farmers.

Mr Morris said: “I am pleased to see the new Prime Minister listening to the needs of the farming sector and acting quickly to help support farmers through some of the worst drought they have experienced in a generation.

“The decision signals that Andy Burnham is serious about working with farming communities in England, and understands that they have been frustrated by successive governments taking them for granted.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out the new support after chairing an emergency response committee meeting on extreme heat, wildfires and drought. It followed the driest July on record in England and Wales.

The Government say the package forms part of a “coordinated cross-government response to the drought”, bringing together action on farming, water and vital infrastructure.

It will help farmers get water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass has failed, and continue their environmental agreements without losing payments when drought makes agreed activity impossible.

Farmers will also be supported to build on-farm water storage such as reservoirs, helping farms prepare for future dry summers.

Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for rural affairs and fifth-generation farmer Coun John Riddle said he welcomed any additional funding for farmers.

However, he said more detail was needed to see how the money would be shared out.

Coun Riddle, who represents the Bellingham ward, said: “I welcome any extra money for farming. I recognise the benefits of that, but the devil is in the detail.

“We need to know how they will work out which areas are included. As far as I’m aware, the North East isn’t on the Government’s map of areas in drought.

“We’re suffering with a lack of grass, which isn’t good for me with over 1,000 sheep. We’re having to shift stock around and we have some people who are having to dip into their winder food stores.

“We’re in a crisis for water this year. What I’m more concerned about is the food security crisis.

“We’re not in a very stable world at the moment. I think it’s folly – we’re importing stuff when we could be producing it ourselves.”