Update: 12 April 2024
Following feedback from farmers, the eligibility criteria for the scheme has been updated to fully remove the 150m limit. This means that farmers will be able to receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to an eligible river.
Storm Henk caused significant damage to large swathes of the country. Thousands of acres of farmland were left under water as a result.
Eligible farmers in England who suffered damage to their land during Storm Henk that was uninsurable, will be contacted by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) about a grant to help cover the costs of returning the land to the condition it was in before it flooded.
In this post, we'll give an overview of this support including details of eligibility.
Background
The Farming Recovery Fund supports the cost of reinstating agricultural land which flooded between 2 and 12 January 2024.
You will get £130 per hectare. The RPA will indicate how many hectares of your land are eligible.
The minimum grant available is £500. The maximum grant available is £25,000.
Farmers will be able to receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to a river that had notably high river level gauge readings during that time. Eligible counties and rivers are listed here:
- Gloucestershire: River Severn, River Thames and River Avon
- Leicestershire: Rothley Brook, River Wreake and River Soar
- Lincolnshire: River Witham, River Brant, River Welland, River Ancholme
- Nottinghamshire : River Trent, River Devon and River Soar
- Somerset: River Brue, River Exe, River Parrott and River Tone
- Warwickshire: River Avon and River Leam
- West Northants: River Nene and River Great Ouse
- Wiltshire: River Avon (Hants), River Avon (Bristol), River Kennet, River Thames, River Bourne and River Wylye
- Worcestershire: River Severn, River Teme and River Avon
Additionally, land parcels must be registered as agricultural land in the Rural Payments service to be eligible.
You will not be eligible to make a claim if your land is on a designated flood storage area.
Land parcels included in Countryside Stewardship with flood resilience options SW12, SW15 and SW16, are not eligible for the grant.
We used satellite imagery and river gauge level data to work out which land parcels were flooded following notably high river levels between 2 and 12 January 2024. Stakeholders were involved in the development of the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for the fund will remain under review to ensure it supports areas where farmland is most impacted. We’re currently reviewing Berkshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire.
The process to claim a grant
If the RPA writes to you, you are eligible.
They will work out how much you might be eligible for based on your land details in the Rural Payments service.
All you need to do is download the form the RPA sends you, check it and sign. You need to do this by 10 July.
You do not need to have recultivated the land by this date. You do need to complete the work by the end of September 2024.
Once the RPA receives the form from you, they will review it and contact you if they need more information or clarification.
If your claim is approved, payments will be made to the bank account registered with the Rural Payments service, if there are no questions to resolve, then payments will be made quickly.
If you have already carried out work and meet the eligibility criteria set out above, then you will be reimbursed with a contribution towards your costs.
Learn more
The fund forms part of a broader scheme called the Flood Recovery Framework, which is activated in exceptional circumstances and provides funding for eligible households and businesses which have suffered severe impacts from flooding that cannot be recovered from insurance.
While the framework has only been activated for Storm Henk, if you’re not in the areas listed above, you can still get advice on Natural Flood Management (NFM) through your local Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser.
This year, we’re updating existing actions and introducing new actions to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship to support NFM, flood mitigation and increase flood resilience.
You can find out more in the Technical Annex to the ATP Update.
14 comments
Comment by Liz Sellers posted on
So where does East Yorkshire get there funding from after Storm Henk please ?
(Or any other storm or area not on the list above) many thanks
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Liz,
Eligibility for the Farming Recovery Fund will remain under review. We’re currently looking at Berkshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire.
Farm businesses and residences can access other Flood Recovery Framework measures. This includes:
- Up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium sized businesses (which includes farms) impacted by the flooding under the Business Recovery Grant. Link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-recovery-grant-irregular-payments-guidance-for-local-authorities
- Up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
Business rate relief is offered too. You'll need to apply to your local authority to access this support.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Liz,
Following feedback (yours included) on the launch of the initial phase of this scheme, government has removed the 150m limit. This means that farmers will be able to receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to an eligible river.
We’ll continue to listen to farmers and look at how we can expand the scheme and improve support for those affected. As we've mentioned, Yorkshire is on the list of areas considered for the next tranche of funding and we'll share updates when they happen.
Best wishes and thanks for your feedback,
The Team
Comment by Brenda Lawrence posted on
We feel very disadvantaged that you have picked certain areas and not included the north west!..
Our land is and has been since the end of September 23 almost unworkable , we have lots of videos on line referring to Meathop road highlighting our flooding problems… even Philip Duffy has visited our farm ! but as per usual no one is proactive enough to tackle the issue… our pockets are empty and we are trying to feed our dairy cows good quality silage , which we have always be able to produce to stay efficient and help the climate…therefore is there any other way to getting a grant for our flooded land so we are not penalised…
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for sharing your views - they are important - particularly given your own experience. Following feedback from farmers, as of this morning, the 150 metre limit was removed. This means that farmers will be able to receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to an eligible river.
The team is now exploring extending the support to Berkshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire for support. We'll share any updates as they happen.
In terms of other support, as part of the Flood Recovery Framework, farm businesses and residences can access:
- Up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium sized businesses impacted by the flooding, including farms under the Business Recovery Grant
- Up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
- Business rate relief. Businesses and property owners will need to apply to their local authority to access that support.
The RPA has a helpline for farmers whose land has been flooded and are experiencing extreme hardship. If you call 03000 200 301, they'll be able to suggest targeted support.
I've passed your comment on to the relevant policy team.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by Craig Smith posted on
How soon can we expect to see the scheme for the Storm Babet (Oct 2023) and more precisely the River Steeping flooded farmland grants ?
I've checked the House of Commons Library (26feb) and Storm Babet is clearly listed there as a storm that was to attract these grants too.
Also with today ruling in the ECHR the requirement for government to protect and mitigate climate change seems more strengthened than ever,
I look forward to hearing from DEFRA soon on this issue
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Craig,
Just to say we've left a reply on your other comment.
Sarah
Comment by Andy Owens posted on
We farm livestock at Marden, near Hereford . We have approximately 90 acres of grassland adjacent to the River Lugg which flooded at the end of October and has not been grazed for over 5 months. We have had about eight major floods since October. We lambed in mid January some 450 ewes, most of which we are still housing . We have had to buy in fodder, straw and additional dry feed. If it comes dry tomorrow we will not be turning stock onto this river grazing land for probably at least three weeks and it could be longer! We need help! We have very limited grazing close to the homestead and have resorted to asking people in the village through Facebook if they have a spare pony paddock we can graze because of the desperate situation. However we have about exhausted that option. It is a desperate time.
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Andy,
All the comments readers post are shared with the relevant policy teams. Feedback helps us to shape the development of future offers and schemes - just this morning, the 150 metre limit was removed with immediate effect as a result of farmer feedback. So thank you for sharing what's going on for you. I'm sorry to read about the impact flooding is having on your land and livestock.
As mentioned in the post, Hereford is on the list of counties that the team is looking at to extend this support. We'll keep people updated.
In terms of other support, as part of the Flood Recovery Framework, farm businesses and residences can access:
- Up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium sized businesses impacted by the flooding, including farms under the Business Recovery Grant
- Up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
- Business rate relief. Businesses and property owners will need to apply to their local authority to access that support.
The RPA has a helpline for farmers whose land has been flooded and are experiencing extreme hardship. If you call 03000 200 301 as soon as possible and report your circumstances, they should be able to suggest targeted support.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by Craig Smith posted on
It seems my post yesterday has either been ignored or lost so I will repeat.
Thankyou for publishing the Farm Flood Recovery Grant information, but when can we expect the Recovery grants for the storm Babet (October 23) which was also promised in January and recorded as promised in the Houses of Parliament Library (26th Feb 23).
Can we assume the Recovery Fund for storm Babet is being held up because the fact it is more complex after the River Steeping flooded into the Witham Fourth drainage network flooding hundreds of acres not immediately adjacent to the river steeping.
Many farmers lost acres and acres of winter crops, had their land and livelihoods damaged, and suffered months of hardship repairing, attempting to replant, and coping with the Unmitigated Disaster brought on by the lack of maintenance, planning, and preparations of the Environment Agency, Local Authority and Government and should be reasonably compensated for losses
Without adequate compensation I fear many like myself will struggle to survive
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Craig,
Thanks for getting in touch. Your comment certainly wasn't lost or ignored - we just try to gather up a few reader comments at a time and put them to the policy teams to address. Nonetheless, we're sorry for the delay.
This press release from October sets out the support following Storm Babet: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-for-flood-hit-areas
You'll see the Flood Recovery Framework mentioned. Farm businesses and residences can access the Flood Recovery Framework.
This includes:
-Up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium sized businesses impacted by the flooding, including farms under the Business Recovery Grant
-Up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
- Business rate relief. Businesses and property owners will need to apply to their local authority to access that support.
The RPA has a helpline for farmers whose land has been flooded and are experiencing extreme hardship. If you call 03000 200 301 as soon as possible and report your circumstances, they'll be able to point you in the direction of further, targeted support.
The team is currently looking at support in Berkshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire as part of its continuous review of flooding support. Your feedback has been shared with the policy team.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Liz Sellers posted on
It seems flood or storm “discrimination” is being experienced nation wide. What is the justification for one flood or storm event or location or timing above another please. I wonder legally where farmers stand for public money being directed unfairly with not indication that other similar events past or future events will receive the same treatment or financial support. M delighted for those receiving the support but absolutely appalled and ashamed that there is nothing in place for the rest.
Comment by Andrew Kay posted on
Good morning...thank you for helping farmers affected by the recent flooding ...its very justified.
I have just read the areas which will be accounted for and see the River Trent in Lincolnshire is not covered.
Our 484 acs on Lea Marsh is part of the Nottinghamshire Lincolnshire border..and has a two mile boundary of the River Trent..
The whole area was under four to six foot of water... before during and after the allowed period..
I have already contacted on the RPA site explaining the extensive damage to the grassland , arable and fencing..
We could not be more eligible for the funding.
Could you please contact me re our situation.
Thank you for your help in this distressing situation.
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm sorry that you've been affected so badly.
The team responded to feedback on the plans we shared earlier in the week and the 150 metre limit has been removed with immediate effect as a result.
This means that farmers will be able to receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to an eligible river.
In terms of other support, as part of the Flood Recovery Framework, farm businesses and residences can access:
- Up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium sized businesses impacted by the flooding, including farms under the Business Recovery Grant
- Up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
- Business rate relief. Businesses and property owners will need to apply to their local authority to access that support.
The RPA has a helpline (I'm not sure if you e-mailed or called them) for farmers whose land has been flooded and are experiencing extreme hardship. If you call 03000 200 301 as soon as possible and report your circumstances, they'll be able to suggest targeted support. Will you let me know how you get on?
Best wishes,
Sarah