West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed measures which will help local farmers affected by flooding during the wet Winter.

The Government has opened the Farming Recovery Fund for applications which will allow farmers to receive grants to return their land to normal after a series of exceptional flooding episodes since last October.

Some areas have had serious flooding six times and with water levels persistently high, farmers have struggled to plant winter crops and livestock have been kept inside for longer periods than usual.

The grants, will range between £500 and £25,000, and qualifying farmers will be contacted by the Rural Payments Agency.

Dame Harriett commented:

“We’ve had unprecedented amounts of rainfall this winter and many farmers across the county have been badly impacted by very wet land.

“I am briefed that the Rural Payments Agency is planning to contact farmers who qualify for this support, but I have also been out and about in West Worcestershire helping to spread the word.

“Farming and food producers play a crucial role in our local economy and it is important that the Government steps up to offer support for businesses who have been affected by severe adverse weather conditions which are well beyond their control.”