NFU slams new Farming Recovery Fund for having 'major issues' with eligibility

The government's newly announced Farming Recovery Fund has been heavily criticised for locking too many flood-stricken farmers out from applying to it.

Defra opened the new fund earlier this week to support farmers who had suffered uninsurable damage to their land due to flooding this winter.

Under the scheme, farmers can access grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was in before flooding due to Storm Henk.

However, the NFU said there were already 'major issues' with the fund's eligibility.

According to the union, some farmers who suffered catastrophic impacts were told by the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) that they were not eligible for the fund.