Farmers: We’re facing an emergency

FARMERS hit financially by the extreme weather are pleading with the Government for help.

Some are facing extra bills of £60,000 or more to feed their cattle because the heatwave has left land parched and grassless.

Many are using winter food stocks that will have to be replaced and industry leaders are urging Environment Secretary Michael Gove to intervene.

They are also concerned that the Irish government has taken advantage of a European scheme to help beleaguered farmers but Britain has failed to do the same.

Michael Oakes, chairman of the National Farmers’ Union dairy board, said: ‘We have raised the issue with Mr Gove and have told him that if we don’t get rain soon, what is already a very serious situation is going to be a critical one. If the situation does not improve in the next three weeks, I could easily end up with a bill for £75,000 to feed my cattle through the winter.’

Mr Gove has pledged to do ‘whatever it takes’ to help farms survive and has relaxed licences for water abstractions and some other environmental rules.

Mr Oakes, 52, who has 200 dairy cattle at his farm near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said: ‘This is the worst summer I have known. When I look at our cattle in the arid fields, you just see a cloud of dust behind them.’

Nick Fenwick, head of policy at the Farmers’ Union of Wales, said: ‘Every day this heatwave goes on means farmers are having to feed animals on fodder that is needed for the winter. It is not a time for Government to gaze at their navels. This is a real emergency.’