New Countryside Small Grants Scheme for Agricultural Equipment

The Government has set aside £60 million of grants for small businesses in the farming industry to help them improve productivity. The grants scheme enables farmers to bid for cash to help them buy new farm equipment.

Farming Minister George Eustice launched the scheme from the Dairy Tech event in Stoneleigh Park. Mr Eustice said:

"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."

How Will The Scheme Work?

• The scheme is called the "Countryside Productivity Scheme".
• Farmers can apply online (click here for the link).
• Grants are available between £3,000 and £12,000.
• There are certain criteria to be fulfilled before applications can be made. The government has produced a handbook to help with applications which is available here.

Other information can be accessed through the link above.

Note that the handbook gives a deadline of 3 December 2018 for applications.

What Happens After Brexit?

The government has guaranteed the funding for the Rural Development Programme for England Countryside Productivity Scheme – provided the grants are agreed and signed before the UK departs from the EU. (The date of Brexit is scheduled for March 2019.) There are conditions: the projects must be good value for money and be in line with domestic strategic priorities.

Contact

For more information on how we can help businesses in the agricultural sector, click here or contact Karen Piontek on 0161 684 6951 or make an enquiry.

 

 

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