Latest news.......
North West NFUstaff are in communication with Defra directly, as well as speaking to the Environment Agency and Natural England at a local level. The NFU nationally has called on the RPA to make allowance for the recent events and consider postponing imminent inspections, allowing for possible delays to TB testing and taking a pragmatic approach with respect to stock movements made under the conditions experienced over the last few days. A similar request has also been made to Natural England asking them to be as flexible as possible for agri-environment agreement holders. We are also looking at the impact on farmland once the flood water has subsided and the clean-up operation that will be required.
The following offers have also come in:
Forage:
Andrew Ward of Forage Aid (07850 132189) has contacted us to ask farmers to ring him if they have urgent need of forage.
Those who are offering forage or bedding are asked to register their offer on the Forage Aid website: http://www.forageaid.org.uk/How-to-help.aspx
Moving stock/feed:
RSPCA have said they have teams in the area until at least Wednesday – they can help move stock across rivers if bridges are down, transport feed etc. Contact their national number on 0300 123 4999 and they will co-ordinate the response of local teams.
Contractors:
There are two contractors in the Carlisle area who are willing to help there or elsewhere in the county – they have tractor driven pumps and mini diggers & dump trailers for moving debris. Please contact the Carlisle office to be put in touch - 01228 523034.
Other organisations offering support include:
Farm Community Network
Brian Armstrong: Land-line 01768 898453; Mobile 07762 596226, email aG9tZUBibHVuZGVyZmllbGQuY29t
RABI
Georgina Lamb: Mobile 07917 114250, email R2VvcmdpbmEubGFtYkByYWJpLm9yZy51aw==
Addington Fund
Land-line 01926 620135, email ZW5xdWlyaWVzQGFkZGluZ3RvbmZ1bmQub3JnLnVr
Our group secretaries and regional team are all here to assist, as you are aware this is a developing situation and we will keep you informed as best we can.
For all the links to real time flooding information, weather advice and news to help members plan and monitor flood risk please visit our 'Adverse weather water and flooding toolbox'.
Also....
* The Kendal NFU Carol Service at J36 Auction, Crooklands, Kendal has been cancelled. It was due to take place at 7pm on Monday 7 December.
* NFU Deputy President Minette Batters will visit affected farms in Cumbria on Wednesday 9 December.