Struggling Shropshire farmers given £111,000 in help
Struggling farmers in Shropshire were handed more than £111,000 during 2012 to help them get through a 'terrible year' for the industry, it has been revealed today.
The cash was given to 67 farmers by charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution to help pay for utilities, council tax arrears and funeral costs. Funds were provided for those waiting for benefits, clothing and food vouchers.
Kate Jones, the charity's regional manager, said 2012 was the worst year for the farming industry since the 2001 foot and mouth crisis.
Today's figures show it handed out £2.1 million to farmers across Britain. The figures are down on 2011's donations to farmers in Shropshire, which saw £132,000 handed out to 73 cases.
Mrs Jones said the money given out last year was shared between 67 farmers in Shropshire aged between 37 and 96.
She said: "Although there was a drop locally, the amount of money given to working farmers was similar year-on-year.
"We also help with things like topping up nursing home fees for retired farmers, so that could have caused the difference.
"2012 really was a terrible year – the most difficult since foot and mouth in 2001 – not least because the weather and dramatic rises in input costs for things such as feed, seed and fertiliser created a perfect storm which took many to the financial and emotional brink. We help many families in the Shropshire area who get into financial difficulty through no fault of their own."
She said the group raised more than £18,000 in the county through fundraising and donations. Nationally it handed out £250,000 more in comparison to 2011.
By Dani Wozencroft
