Defra unveils £19m funding for small farms

More than 2,500 rural businesses are set to receive a share of £19m of government funding, Defra secretary Owen Paterson has announced.

The money aims to boost the competitiveness of rural farming and forestry businesses.

Defra estimates that the funding will support about 5,000 jobs across England.

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Mr Paterson said: “Small businesses are the cornerstone of the rural economy, supporting local jobs, people and entire communities.

That’s why the government is awarding £19m to over 2,500 small farming and forestry businesses to enable them to thrive as part of our long-term economic plan.

“This will help them grow and prosper and support around 5,000 jobs across England.”

The funding is from the targeted Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS), part of the CAP-funded Rural Development Programme for England.

This funding, now it its third round, has provided more than £34m to help nearly 5,000 businesses, including farmers, foresters, woodland owners and horticultural concerns, grow their businesses and the rural economy.

Combined with £51m of industry funding, Defra says it will support about 10,000 jobs.

Mr Paterson is due to speak at the Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday (8 July).

Yorkshire alone will receive £2.5m of funding, allowing small and medium businesses throughout the county to thrive.