Burnham talks about 'hardest summer' on farm visit
Getty ImagesFarmers in the south-west of England will receive new support to help manage the impact of prolonged dry weather.
The government said it would fund £65m to farmers across England in response to the ongoing drought, which was declared for more than half of England by the Environment Agency at the end of July.
It comes after a government emergency response committee meeting (COBR) on the extreme heat, wildfires and drought. Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out plans on how to help bring together action on farming, water and "vital infrastructure".
Burnham also acknowledged during a visit to Cornwall on Saturday that it had "probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation".
On Thursday, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said its crews had tackled more than 170 wildfires so far this year which had a "devastating" impact on some landowners.
In July, the head of an organic vegetable box company in Devon said its staff had had to choose which plants to water or let die due to the ongoing drought.
The government said its plans would help farmers provide water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass had failed and continue their environmental agreements without losing payments when drought made agreed activity "impossible".
'Immediate action'
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said she was acutely aware of the pressures exceptionally dry weather was placing on farm businesses.
"Our farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions in decades, which is why we're stepping in with practical support to help them through these challenging conditions and build resilience for the future," she said.
"We'll continue working closely with farmers and our partners to respond to the impacts of the drought, while building a stronger, more resilient farming sector through our farming roadmap.
"While immediate action is being taken, ministers are clear that the country must also adapt to a changing climate."
PA MediaThe government said the package included more flexibility in environmental schemes, action to make it easier to build reservoirs and improved access to water during drought conditions, including Environment Agency support and simpler access arrangements.
Burnham said the government had a "long way to go to build back trust" with farmers and the UK needed to "guarantee our own food production going forward".
He visited Colwyn farm, near Truro, Cornwall, which has been affected by the drought and met National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw.
Burnham said: "I think it's probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.
"I see food and farming as part of national resilience, national infrastructure.
"We need to be able to guarantee our own food production going forward."
PA MediaHe said the £65m was "new money coming from Defra budgets".
Farmers would also get £15m in support for building on-farm reservoirs to provide supplies during future dry summers, he said.
The package would aim to support farmers who need to get water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass has failed and are struggling to continue environmental work without losing money.
Burnham said: "With the parched nature of the fields, it's really important that they can use all of the available land to graze cattle and livestock and sheep."
Bradshaw said the measures were a "really welcome start", but added: "It doesn't affect the crisis today."
He said: "Many farms are absolutely on edge because of a disastrous harvest.
"We have to work together with the government to try to make sure that all of those farms are still in business in 12 months' time, so that then we can plan strategically for the future."
