00:00I think it's probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.
00:05So many challenges for those in arable farming, livestock farming, doing a picture of the
00:11two.
00:11You know, on every front they can see challenges.
00:13So it's really important that up here.
00:15The money going into the environmental schemes will help with building that environmental
00:20resilience for the longer term.
00:21It doesn't affect the crisis today.
00:24Farmers are dealing with the after effects of weeks of heat, little rainfall and drought,
00:29with some crops harvested early and others producing lower yields or poorer quality.
00:34This can affect farm businesses, food production and even potentially prices for consumers.
00:41On Saturday, the 15th of August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited a farm near Touro in Cornwall
00:47as part of a national tour discussing the cost of living.
00:51There, the Prime Minister discussed new support unveiled by the government for farmers, a boost
00:56intended to aid farms through the current pressure while preparing for future dry summers.
01:02The news follows what has been reported to be the driest July in England and Wales on record.
01:08The package itself is worth £65m and is being funded from existing government farming budgets.
01:16£50m will be added to this year's sustainable farming incentive, taking its total budget to £290m.
01:25Well, I realise we've got a long way to go to build back trust with the farming community across the
01:32country.
01:32So, within my first month of office, I wanted to be on a farm, hearing about the reality and how
01:38difficult it's been, particularly in this summer.
01:41I think it's probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.
01:45So many challenges for those in arable farming, livestock farming, doing a picture of the two, you know, on every
01:52front they can see challenges.
01:53So, it's really important that I'm here and I'm listening and announcing some help in these difficult times, more flexibility
02:00for farmers to raise livestock on land.
02:06The scheme pays farmers for measures that support nature and the environment.
02:11Under the new arrangements, farmers affected by drought will have more flexibility to use land for grazing or cutting where
02:19grass has failed, without losing payments.
02:21Up to £15m will also support the development of on-farm reservoirs.
02:27Discussing the support, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said,
02:31I am acutely aware of the pressures exceptionally dry weather is placing on farm businesses.
02:37Our farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions in decades,
02:41which is why we're stepping in with practical support to help them through these challenging conditions and build resilience for
02:47the future.
02:48We'll continue working closely with farmers and our partners to respond to the impacts of the drought,
02:54while building a stronger, more resilient farming sector through our farming roadmap.
03:00NFU President Tom Bradshaw said that while the measures were a welcome start, the boost doesn't affect today's crisis.
03:08It's a really welcome start, but it can only be the start because of the crisis that is facing farmers
03:13right the way across the United Kingdom,
03:15with the drought that is ongoing at the moment, the worst drought in 50 years.
03:19So the reservoir grants are something that will help build the strategic resilience of our food system in this country.
03:25The money going into the environmental schemes will help with building that environmental resilience for the longer term.
03:32It doesn't affect the crisis today.
03:35And many farms are absolutely on edge because of a disastrous harvest.
03:39Fields that should be green are now brown.
03:42They're feeding their winter rations out in the field now, and they're also exposed to disease.
03:46So what we've been talking to the Prime Minister about is welcoming the recognition of the challenges that are being
03:51faced,
03:51the opportunity to have that really important conversation, but impressing upon him the critical situation that is facing farmers today
04:00on the ground.
04:01We want a 10 year plan for how we produce this country's food.
04:04But to get there, farmers must still be in business in 12 months time.
04:07And that was our opportunity today.
04:10The government says the measures are designed to help farmers get water to crops,
04:15keep livestock fed and maintain environmental work during the drought.
04:19It also plans to make it easier to build reservoirs by reducing unnecessary barriers and updating planning guidance.
04:26The government says the dry weather is not expected to affect national food security,
04:31but it wants to strengthen food supply chains and resilience.
04:35The farming leadership has welcomed the package as a start,
04:39while saying it does not resolve the immediate pressures facing farms.
04:43The government says the measures are part of a wider response to extreme heat.
04:48wildfires and drought.
04:50It also says farmers need longer term resilience as dry summers become a greater challenge,
04:55including better water storage and stronger food supply chains.
05:00For farming businesses, the immediate test will be whether the support helps them through this season,
05:05while the government and the industry continue talks about the future of food production and farming.
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05:12You
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