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Yorkshire rural businesses to benefit from £19 million Defra funding

Yorkshire rural businesses are amongst those set to receive a share of £19 million of government funding, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson will announce.

This funding has been specifically designed to boost the competitiveness of rural farming and forestry businesses and it is believed that this extra funding will support around 5,000 jobs across England, with 2,500 business in the UK set to benefit.

In previous rounds of funding, Defra has helped Yorkshire businesses such as a North Yorkshire dairy, in which they invested nearly £17,700 for the purchase of a heat recovery unit, which saves electricity by using bore hole water to cool fresh milk.

In total eight new products and techniques were introduced to this farm as a result of funding.

A family-run woodworking business in the countryside near Scarborough received £13,245 to buy a sawmill and cutting bench.

This allowed the business to increase the range of wood products available for sale to other businesses such as joiners, cabinet makers and furniture makers.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “Small businesses are the cornerstone of the rural economy, supporting local jobs, people and entire communities.

“That’s why the government is awarding £19 million to over 2,500 small farming and forestry businesses to enable them to thrive as part of our long-term economic plan.

“This will help them grow and prosper and support around 5000 jobs across England.”

The funding is from the targeted Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS), part of the CAP-funded Rural Development Programme for England.

This funding, now it its third round, has provided over £34 million to help nearly 5,000 businesses, including farmers, foresters, woodland owners and horticultural businesses grow their businesses and the rural economy. Combined with £51 million of industry funding, this will support around 10,000 jobs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .