Applications open for floodbank repair grant scheme.

Perthshire North Constituency MSP John Swinney has welcomed Scottish Government support directed at assisting farmers affected by recent flooding. Farm businesses will now be able to apply for a grant to help repair man-made floodbanks following the launch of the scheme this week by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP.

The Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme was announced by the First Minister earlier this year, with £1 million being set aside to fund the repair of man-made floodbanks on farms in nine local authorities: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen, Angus and East Ayrshire.

The Scottish Government has worked in partnership with NFU Scotland to develop a scheme that will deliver targeted help with minimal red tape.

John Swinney said:

“Here in Perthshire North many farmers have suffered substantial damage to their fields and farm infrastructure including floodbanks following the severe weather in January and December.

“The support now available from the Scottish Government will enable the restoration costs of man-made floodbanks on farms to be grant assisted up to a cap of £20,000 per business.

“The Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme is a very welcome intervention for the industry and will help to restore confidence. I urge local farmers in Perthshire North with damaged floodbanks to apply before the deadline closes at the end of February.”

Applications for the Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme are available online at https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/floodbank-repair-scheme/