FARMERS affected by the severe flooding in early 2014 have been warned they only have until May 9 to apply for a grant under the Farming Recovery Fund. Those looking for help to restore their land back to agricultural production are being advised to act now or risk losing out on cash made available by the Government following the severe weather experienced in the New Year.

The advice comes from Ben Compton, rural surveyor at Bruton Knowles in Hereford, who is urging farmers and those with farm holdings to get their applications in before it’s too late. Provided by the Rural Development Programme for England, grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available to any farm holdings directly affected by the recent floods, which hit Worcestershire when the Severn, Teme and Avon rivers broke their banks and much low lying land was under water for several weeks.

Announced by the Prime Minister on February, 11 the FRF is designed to support activities that reduce the consequences of severe flooding on agricultural land and help restore its physical capacity. Grants will be given to those affected since December 1 and being a business which depends upon its farming enterprises to provide a significant contribution to household income.

But according to Mr Compton, it’s better to act now rather than let the possible chance of some Government help float by. He said: “The fund gives farmers the chance to alleviate some of the damage caused by the exceptionally bad weather experienced during the winter. I’d urge those who think they could receive a grant to act now.”

The FRF focuses on four key areas of recovery including the restoration of productive grassland, the restoration of productive arable and horticultural land, restoring farm vehicle access to fields and improvements to agricultural drainage. Mr Compton added: "If you’re unsure then the team of agricultural land experts here at Bruton Knowles are on hand to provide the right advice and to help farmers get their businesses back on track as soon as possible. The worst thing would be to do nothing.”