Prince Charles’ fund donates £150,000 to farmers
Farmers struggling to cope this winter after the extreme weather this year are to benefit from a £150,000 donation from the Prince of Wales’ Countryside Fund.
The money will be distributed between four rural charities to help farmers in crisis in the UK.
The funds will help farmers struggling financially following the dry winter and wet summer, which led to a shortage of grazing, low stocks of forage and a poor harvest, compounded by the rising cost of feed and fuel.
The Prince of Wales called a meeting on Monday night (17 December) with leaders of the four rural charities – the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Farm Crisis Network, the Addington Fund in England and Wales, and the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI).
It was agreed that £150,000 – the entire amount in the emergency fund – would be donated to help farmers in crisis.
The Duke of Westminster has agreed to personally match the funding and donate an additional £150,000, taking the total amount raised so far to £300,000.
Speaking during the meeting at Clarence House, Prince Charles said: “I have been growing increasingly concerned about the many difficulties which farmers from all sectors are facing – and are likely to face – this winter and so I thought it was important for us to come together, hear what we each have to report and then I want to see what I can do to help through my Prince’s Countryside Fund.
“I have been growing increasingly concerned about the many difficulties which farmers from all sectors are facing – and are likely to face – this winter and so I thought it was important for us to come together, hear what we each have to report and then I want to see what I can do to help through my Prince’s Countryside Fund.”
Prince Charles
“When I set up my Countryside Fund in 2010, I and the trustees decided from the start that we would always keep a lump sum available to be used for any farming emergency.
“Indeed some of you have already received help from this fund in the past. But I think we are all agreed that many British farmers are facing an emergency situation and so I am very pleased that the trustees agreed that we would divide £150,000 between you.”
Lord Curry of Kirkharle, a trustee of the fund, added: “Farms have been hit hard by the poor weather and it is only going to get worse as the need to buy in feed at inflated prices and the increase in other costs begins to have a serious effect on cash flow.
In addition arable farmers are having a dreadful year and it is clear that next year will be no better. The impact will probably be felt in January and February onwards so it is particularly well timed to release the money now and ensure the charities can prepare for the increase in demand for their services.”
Farming charities call for funding help
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