FARMERS in Yorkshire and Lancashire hit by flooding from Storm Eva will receive emergency funding of up to £20,000 each, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has announced.

The Farming Recovery Fund, originally launched to help farmers hit by Storm Desmond in Cumbria, Northumberland and parts of Lancashire, will now be extended to farmers in all the areas affected by storms over Christmas and Boxing Day.

Farmers suffering from uninsurable losses can apply for grants of up to £20,000 via the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to help restore soils, rebuild tracks and repair flood channels.

Mrs Truss said: "We have witnessed further unprecedented flooding which will have serious consequences for farmers. We remain committed to providing practical support to those farmers affected.

"That is why I am pleased to announce we will be extending the Farming Recovery Fund to help cover short-term uninsured recovery costs such as repairing damaged soils, tracks and flood channels.

"Farmers need to know that when the worst strikes, we are ready to offer relief at this challenging time so they can focus on their recovery."

The RPA will also not carry out inspections in the flooded areas and will make use of any flexibility in cross compliance and animal movement rules for affected farmers.

The Farming Recovery Fund deadline for applications has now been extended from March 18 to April 1st to allow farmers in the newly affected areas time to apply.

Once all checks are completed, the RPA will aim to make payments against valid claims directly into bank accounts within five working days.

Flood affected farmers will be able to claim grants of between £500 and £20,000 to cover the cost of restoring their farmland.

This includes the restoration of productive stock proof grassland; productive arable and horticultural land; field access or track ways, fencing or gates or water troughs; drainage on flood-damaged holdings; and damage to agricultural machinery and agricultural buildings that cannot be insured.

Funding includes re-siting or re-locating to improved positioning away from river edges, raising parapets or relocating to a less vulnerable access point in the field.

o Meanwhile, Natural England is also temporarily lifting requirements that normally apply to Environmental Stewardship agreements and protected sites, so that farmers and land managers affected by floods can focus on recovery.

Farmers wanting to apply for the Farming Recovery Fund can find details at GOV.UK/rpa or by contacting the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.