Burnham announces £65m lifeline for drought-hit farmers as UK faces ‘hardest summer’ in a generation
Prime Minister Andy Burnham sees potatoes being sorted (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)
Farmers across England are set to receive £65 million in government support as prolonged drought and exceptionally dry weather continue to put pressure on crops, livestock and food production.
The package was announced as Prime Minister Andy Burnham stepped up the government’s response to the worsening drought, following an emergency COBR meeting focused on extreme heat, wildfires and water shortages.
The funding comes at a difficult time for British agriculture, with farmers reporting poor harvests, reduced yields and rising costs. More than half of England was declared to be in drought by the Environment Agency at the end of July.
During a visit to Colwyn Farm near Truro in Cornwall, Burnham described the current conditions as “probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.”
£65m Support Package for Drought-Hit Farmers
The government said the £65m farming support package will help farmers deal with the immediate effects of drought while also improving their ability to cope with future dry periods.
The package includes £50m for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, taking the scheme’s total budget to £290m. The additional money will be prioritised for areas facing the greatest need as a result of the drought.
The government also plans to provide farmers with greater flexibility under environmental schemes. This could allow some farmers to cut or graze land earlier where drought has caused grass shortages, without losing payments.
The measures are intended to give struggling farms more options as dry conditions continue to affect agricultural production.
Farmers Face Poor Harvests and Water Shortages
The prolonged lack of rainfall has created serious challenges for farms in several parts of England, particularly in the South West.
Some farmers have had to harvest crops earlier than expected, while others have reported lower yields and poorer-quality produce. Dry grass has also created problems for livestock farmers who depend on pasture to feed cattle, sheep and other animals.
In Devon, a vegetable box company previously reported having to make difficult decisions about which plants could be watered and which might not survive.
Cornwall has also experienced a severe wildfire season. The local fire and rescue service said crews had tackled more than 170 wildfires during the year, adding another layer of pressure for landowners and rural communities.
Andy Burnham Says Food Security Is a National Priority
Speaking during his farm visit, Burnham said the UK needed to take farming and food production more seriously as part of national resilience.
“I see food and farming as part of national resilience, national infrastructure,” he said, adding that the country needs to be able to guarantee its own food production.
Burnham also acknowledged that the government has work to do to rebuild trust with farmers.
The prime minister’s comments come after criticism from farming representatives over the government’s response to the prolonged drought and the financial pressures facing agricultural businesses.
READ ALSO
£15m Set Aside for Farm Reservoirs
A further £15m will support the construction of on-farm reservoirs, which can allow farmers to store water and use it during future dry periods.
The government says the investment is designed to strengthen water resilience and reduce the vulnerability of farms during future droughts.
The plans also include measures to make it easier for farmers to access water during drought conditions. The Environment Agency will provide support, while changes to access arrangements are intended to help water reach farms where it is most urgently needed.
However, farming organisations have warned that much more investment may be required.
Farming Groups Welcome Support but Want More
The National Farmers’ Union welcomed the government’s announcement but warned that the measures would not immediately solve the crisis facing many farms.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said the package was a “really welcome start” but noted that many farms were already struggling after a disastrous harvest.
He said the priority must be ensuring farms remain financially viable over the next 12 months so farmers can plan for the future.
The Country Land and Business Association also welcomed the measures, particularly the plan to support farm reservoirs, but warned that the £15m allocation would fund only a fraction of the reservoirs needed.
Drought Raises Wider Concerns for UK Food Production
The latest support package comes as concerns grow over how prolonged periods of extreme weather could affect UK food security.
Farmers are already dealing with higher production costs, water shortages and reduced yields. If difficult weather conditions continue, the impact could extend beyond individual farms and place additional pressure on food supply chains.
The government has said the immediate measures must be matched by longer-term efforts to help agriculture adapt to a changing climate.
For farmers facing another difficult season, the £65m package offers short-term assistance. Industry leaders, however, are making clear that sustained investment in water infrastructure and farming resilience will be needed if Britain is to be better prepared for future droughts.
FAQ
Why is the UK government giving farmers £65m?
The government announced £65m in support for farmers across England in response to the prolonged dry weather and drought conditions. The package is intended to help farmers manage immediate pressures while improving resilience against future dry periods.
What is included in the £65m farming support package?
The package includes additional funding for environmental farming schemes, support for on-farm reservoirs, improved access to water during drought conditions and greater flexibility for farmers operating under environmental agreements.
How much of the funding will go to the Sustainable Farming Incentive?
According to the Guardian report, £50m of the package will go towards the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), increasing its total budget to £290m. The additional funding will be prioritised for areas experiencing the greatest need during the drought.
How much money will farmers receive for reservoirs?
Farmers will receive £15m in support for building on-farm reservoirs. The government says the measure is designed to improve water supplies during future dry summers.
Why are farmers struggling in England?
Farmers have been hit by exceptionally dry weather, which has affected crops, grassland and water supplies. Some farmers have reportedly harvested crops earlier than usual, while others have faced lower yields and poorer-quality produce.
The BBC reported that farmers in the South West have also struggled with water supplies for crops and livestock.
What did Andy Burnham say about the farming crisis?
During his visit to a farm near Truro in Cornwall, Burnham described the period as “probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.” He also said food and farming should be viewed as part of the UK’s national resilience and infrastructure.
Which areas of England are most affected by the drought?
The supplied reports state that more than half of England had been declared to be in drought by the Environment Agency at the end of July. The South West, including Cornwall and Devon, has faced significant impacts from prolonged dry conditions.
Are farmers allowed to use more of their land during the drought?
The government has introduced greater flexibility for farmers participating in environmental schemes. Where drought has made certain activities difficult, farmers may be able to cut or graze land that would normally be restricted without losing their payments.
Will the government make it easier for farmers to access water?
Yes. The support package includes measures designed to improve farmers’ access to water during drought conditions. The government has also said it will simplify arrangements and work with the Environment Agency to help water reach farms where it is most needed.
Why are farm reservoirs important?
Farm reservoirs can allow farmers to store water for use during dry periods. The government says the £15m funding will help farmers build reservoirs and improve resilience against future droughts.
The Country Land and Business Association, however, warned that the funding would cover only a fraction of the reservoirs it believes are needed.
Is £65m enough to solve the farming crisis?
The farming sector has welcomed the announcement but warned that it does not resolve the immediate crisis. NFU president Tom Bradshaw described the measures as a welcome start while warning that many farms were already under severe financial pressure following poor harvests.
What has the drought done to UK crops?
The reports say some farmers have been forced to harvest crops early, while others are experiencing lower yields and poorer-quality produce. Dry conditions have also affected grass, creating difficulties for farmers trying to feed livestock.
How has the drought affected livestock farmers?
The lack of rain has caused grass to become scarce in some areas. The government says its measures will help farmers keep livestock fed and give them greater flexibility to graze available land during the drought.
Is the UK farming crisis linked to climate change?
The government has linked the current conditions to a changing climate and said the country must adapt. Burnham said farmers are at the sharp end of climate-related risks and argued that they should not have to carry those risks alone.
The reports do not suggest that climate change is the sole cause of any individual drought event.
What did farmers say about the £65m announcement?
The response from farming representatives was cautiously positive. Tom Bradshaw called the package a “really welcome start”, but said it would not solve the immediate crisis facing farms.
Gavin Lane of the Country Land and Business Association similarly welcomed the measures while warning that the reservoir funding was limited.
How could the drought affect UK food security?
The government has linked farming directly to national resilience and food security. Burnham said the UK needs to be able to guarantee its own food production, while poor harvests and higher farming costs could put additional pressure on food producers.
What did Burnham mean by the “hardest summer” for farming?
Burnham was referring to the combination of prolonged dry weather, water shortages, difficult growing conditions, lower yields and wider pressures facing British farms. The BBC reported that he used the phrase during his visit to Colwyn Farm near Truro, Cornwall.
What happens next for UK farmers?
The government says the immediate support will be accompanied by longer-term efforts to make farming more resilient to changing weather conditions. Farmers and industry groups are also calling for sustained investment in water infrastructure, reservoirs and support for farm businesses.