Trudy is encouraging Copeland’s farming community to apply for newly-launched Government grants.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is inviting applications to the £27 million Farming Investment Fund, launched this week, which offers grants for equipment, technology and infrastructure that improves farm productivity and benefits the environment.

This could include solar-powered electric fences, water treatment systems that use ultraviolet light rather than chemicals, and cameras for monitoring livestock.

Available to farmers, foresters and growers, the Fund is split across two strands:

- the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which focuses on smaller grants for equipment from a set-list, including electronic seeders and chemical-free disinfectant
- the Farming Transformation Fund, for more substantial technology with the potential to transform business performance, with an initial focus on water management.

Mrs Harrison has today (Thursday) written to members of Copeland’s farming community to provide further information and application details for the new fund.

She said: “I am encouraging Copeland’s farmers, foresters and growers to explore the eligibility criteria for the grants and consider making an application. Funds are available to support the industry to focus on more efficient production methods that will reduce resource costs, improve yields, and give a better return.”

Farming Minister, Victoria Prentis, said: “I’m pleased to offer support to eligible farmers through the new Farming Investment Fund to invest in technology and infrastructure to boost productivity and deliver environmental benefits.

“Investing in new technology and equipment on farm has a real impact on productivity and yields, as well as a benefit for the environment as we build on the historic commitments of COP26.”

For further information and to apply for grant, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/farming-investment-fund