John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, has welcomed news that farmers who have suffered from severe flooding will be eligible to apply for grants of up to £30,000.
 
The funding package, which is worth a total of £1.8m, will help farmers repair man-made flood banks. Farmers staying in the local authority areas of Moray, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen, Angus and Fife will be able to apply for financial assistance. 

The scheme was formally announced today by Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, at the AgriScot conference, and will open for applications next month.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said: “Today’s announcement will be welcomed by farmers across Perthshire, many of whom were among the most acutely affected by the recent severe weather conditions.

“In the immediate aftermath of the recent flooding, I undertook a joint visit to a local farm with the NFU Scotland President, Martin Kennedy. I was struck by the scale of the damage and the absolutely devastating impact of the flood. Regrettably, this was a situation that was replicated on many farms across my constituency.

“It is therefore right that the Scottish Government is taking quick and decisive action to support farmers who, through no fault of their own, have suffered significant hardship as a result of extreme weather. This is a further example of the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting our agricultural sector, and proof that the SNP will continue to do all that we can to assist farmers.”