Grants to counter heatwave hardships

WELSH potato farmers who are still battling the knock-on effects of last year’s prolonged heatwave are being offered a one-off discretionary grant.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I), the farming sector’s oldest and largest charity, is working with the Welsh Government to help farmers in Wales suffering hardship following the 2018 summer drought.

The Welsh Government has made £240,000 available to R.A.B.I. which will assess claims and distribute accordingly.

R.A.B.I chairman Malcolm Thomas (pictured) said: “2018 was a particularly challenging year for our industry and Welsh farmers, across various sectors, were amongst those hardest hit. We’re grateful to the Welsh Government for making this money available and we are determined to make sure it goes to where it is most needed.”

One-off, fixed payments of £3,000 per household will be. To qualify, over 50% of an applicant’s land must be based in Wales. Mr Thomas stressed that every call and application will be handled in complete confidence.

Application forms are available by calling the helpline on 0808 168 7297. The helpline will be open Mondays to Fridays, from 10am until 4pm. Completed application forms must be received by R.A.B.I by 5pm on April 30th, 2019. Successful applicants will be contacted during May and all grants will be paid by May 30th, 2019.