Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has confirmed grant funding will be available for farmers affected by recent flooding.

The Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme, announced by the First Minister earlier this year, will allow farmers to apply for a grant to help repair man-made floodbanks.

The Scottish Government worked in partnership with the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) to develop the scheme.

It is understood £1 million has been set aside to fund the repairs in nine local authorities:

• Dumfries and Galloway

-- Advertisement --

• Scottish Borders

• Perth and Kinross

• South Lanarkshire

• Aberdeenshire

• City of Aberdeen

• Angus

• East Ayrshire

• Stirling

Secretary Lochhead said: "Farmers who require support to restore man-made floodbanks on their farms can now apply for the Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme. This scheme is made up of £1 million funding and will cover the standard costs of repairs, up to a cap of £20,000 per business, and cover farmers affected by flooding in nine local authorities during December and early January."

NFUS President Allan Bowie added: "Flooding has taken a terrible toll on farmland across Scotland with the severity and ferocity of the floods taking out many long-established flood defences. This scheme, requested by NFUS, offers welcome support to flood-hit farmers.

"I urge those with damaged floodbanks to apply before the deadline closes at the end of February with applications to be approved shortly after."

Following confirmation that their application has been approved, farmers will have until 30 June to complete the repairs.

(LM)