Farmers in North Cornwall are being urged to apply to a new £60 million government scheme for agricultural equipment by local MP Scott Mann.
Launched today at the Dairy Tech event in Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire by Farming Minister and MP for Camborne & Redruth George Eustice, the new Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme will award grants between £3,000 and £12,000 towards the costs of farm equipment.
Welcoming the news, North Cornwall MP Scott Mann said:
“I’m very pleased to see the Farming Minister launching this new scheme to support farmers who need new equipment.
“The cost of farming can be very expensive and having new equipment is imperative to maintaining and increasing productivity, and this new scheme shows how the Government wants to expand its support for farmers and the agricultural sector.
“Farmers in North Cornwall could really benefit from this new scheme and I would certainly urge them to apply for funding.”
The new scheme comes just weeks after the Environment Secretary launched a reformed Countryside Stewardship Scheme which makes it easier for farmers to apply for funding which helps them protect the environment.
Launching the new scheme today, Minister George Eustice said:
“It’s fantastic to see the scale of innovation here in Stoneleigh, where over 250 exhibitors are showcasing some truly advanced products and services which have come to the market for dairy farmers to improve productivity.
“The dairy industry is our largest agricultural sector and we want to make sure farmers can become more resilient, competitive and able to capitalise on the growing global interest in quality British produce as we leave the EU.
“By opening this small grants scheme, we hope more farmers will be able to access this equipment and embark on more innovative and ambitious projects.”
The Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme can be found on DEFRA’s website here.
