Support for farmers hit by FMD movement restrictions

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) has implemented its emergency procedures to ensure that all requests for help from farming families facing financial hardship as a result of the current foot and mouth movement restrictions will be processed without delay.

Following the announcement of the FMD outbreak in Surrey on Friday evening the RABI emergency team met this morning (Monday 6 August) to ensure that measures are in place to provide immediate relief to those in need. ""We know from bitter experience how devastating the movement restrictions can be to livestock farmers for whom cash flow is critical"", said RABI chief executive Paul Burrows.

""We are already providing support for those hit by the recent floods and we are especially concerned about the effect that the movement restrictions will have on those families in the flooded areas. We expect that the long-term effects, coupled with increased feed prices, will result in a considerable increase in the number of people suffering hardship.""

RABI provides emergency funding to cover domestic expenses for farming families and considers all reasonable requests for financial assistance.

""During the 2001 FMD epidemic we helped more than 8,000 farming families, paying out some £9 million. In extreme cases we were able to turn round applications for help within 24 hours and if necessary we will be in a position to match that response"", said Paul Burrows.

The RABI emergency helpline number - 01865 727888 - is currently manned during office hours (with a message facility out of hours). All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. The emergency team will be monitoring the situation and 24-hour manning will be introduced if required.

RABI is working in close cooperation with its partners in the Farming Help Partnership, Farm Crisis Network and The ARC-Addington Fund, to ensure that there is support available for all those in need in the farming community.