We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Cumbria flood damage bill £3m and rising
CUMBRIA’S floods have already cost an estimated £3 million worth of damage, according to the countryside’s biggest insurer.
NFU Mutual said it had already received 50 claims come through from the worst affected town, Cockermouth, alone, a figure that is certain to rise.
The rural insurer has hundreds of farming, business and domestic policyholders in the worst-affected areas. It is giving out an immediate £500 emergency payment to badly-affected domestic policyholders and has bought in staff from across the North West to deal with these claims.
“Restoration firms are on stand-by to go in far earlier than in other flood disasters to help people with the clean up - particularly those that are elderly. We’re looking for alternative accommodation for those whose homes have been seriously affected,” the insurer said today (Monday, November 23).
NFU Mutual said its claims bill is estimated at £3m.
Over 12 inches of rain was recorded in one day in Cumbria and more rain is forecast today.
Readers' comments (4)
Mary Horner | 25 November 2009 2:03 pm
In a High Court case Castle Cement are on record claiming that to stop burning Meat and Bone Meal and go back to coal would cost them £2million per annum. This is for just the one cement works in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Several more cement works are burning this now.
So what are the actual "costs" farmers are going to be charged -- when just one site is making £2million a year PROFIT from burning it?
Should farmers not be PROFIT SHARING, not Cost-sharing?
PS Half the £2million was from not having to buy coal, the other half --ie approx. £1million was from annual Carbon Tax CREDITS, as our animal waste is "carbon neutral" when burnt.
Do those sitting at the negotiating table know these facts--or even begin to understand them?
(Horner v. Lancashire County Council. Judicial Review and Appeal of LCC's Planning Decision to permit transfer equipment of plant to feed animal waste into the kiln at Castle Cement Clitheroe, adjacent to livestock farms. Castle Cement joined in as interested party.)
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Anonymous | 29 November 2009 7:46 pm
Thousands of acres of land have been devastated, some of it may not be fit to be farmed (despite remedial work) for a couple of years. Some areas are buried by tons gravel and silt. A huge amount of property and infrastructure has been destroyed making operations difficult for many farmers.
For those fortunate enough to have insurance that will help offset the costs of flood damage, I don't begrudge them a penny. For those who don't, I'd be happy for some of the taxes I pay used to help alleviate the hardship felt, especially by some of the smaller and more marginal businesses.
My sentiments do not apply solely to farmers; but to everyone affected. This is a time when we need to rally round and take action to help those who are struggling and show that British people still understand what a "sense of community" is.
(Mary H) Using an article about flooding to voice objections to profits made form cement works burning bone meal is hardly appropriate. (I'd guess it is abbatoirs making money on the sale of meat & bone meal, rather than the farmers anyway)
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Judith Cochrane | 30 November 2009 3:59 pm
Is is possible to donate money for the farmers in West Cumbria whose livelyhoods have been wrecked or does one just send it to the Appeal centre at Dovenby?
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kamal | 30 November 2009 5:34 pm
dear
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