EMERGENCY cash is being made available to farmers in Gloucestershire struck down by poor weather that has decimated this year's harvest.
News that £300,000 is being offered to farmers who have been struggling after months of heavy rain and freezing temperatures is being welcomed in the county.
The early Christmas present for farmers was announced at a meeting this week between Prince Charles and the leaders of the UK rural charities.
These included The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Farm Crisis Network and the Addington Fund in England and Wales.
Rob Harrison, a dairy farmer from North Gloucestershire, said farmers will be glad to see the back of 2012.
"The money is a great gesture and will help some farmers get through the next few months or help them with an exit strategy from the industry. This year has been one of the worst on record.
"I have never known all sectors of farming struggle like they have this year. It looks as though the effects of the poor winter will last for at least another year yet as the quality of winter cereal is also pretty bleak because of the conditions."
The Prince's Countryside Fund will donate £150,000 while the Duke of Westminster confirmed that he will personally match the funding and donate an additional £150,000.
The money will be distributed among the various charities and used to help farmers who have been hit financially as a result of the recent poor weather.
NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: "The Prince's Countryside Fund demonstrates the importance that His Royal Highness attaches to rural communities and especially farming.
"The NFU would like to thank the Prince for his continued support of farmers and growers, particularly when the industry has been hit over the past 12 months with the problems of extreme weather – drought in the first part of the year followed by flooding in many parts of the country – which has led to rocketing costs for feed and forage."
News that £300,000 is being offered to farmers who have been struggling after months of heavy rain and freezing temperatures is being welcomed in the county.
The early Christmas present for farmers was announced at a meeting this week between Prince Charles and the leaders of the UK rural charities.
These included The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Farm Crisis Network and the Addington Fund in England and Wales.
Rob Harrison, a dairy farmer from North Gloucestershire, said farmers will be glad to see the back of 2012.
"The money is a great gesture and will help some farmers get through the next few months or help them with an exit strategy from the industry. This year has been one of the worst on record.
"I have never known all sectors of farming struggle like they have this year. It looks as though the effects of the poor winter will last for at least another year yet as the quality of winter cereal is also pretty bleak because of the conditions."
The Prince's Countryside Fund will donate £150,000 while the Duke of Westminster confirmed that he will personally match the funding and donate an additional £150,000.
The money will be distributed among the various charities and used to help farmers who have been hit financially as a result of the recent poor weather.
NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: "The Prince's Countryside Fund demonstrates the importance that His Royal Highness attaches to rural communities and especially farming.
"The NFU would like to thank the Prince for his continued support of farmers and growers, particularly when the industry has been hit over the past 12 months with the problems of extreme weather – drought in the first part of the year followed by flooding in many parts of the country – which has led to rocketing costs for feed and forage."