Heroic farmers deserve dedicated fund for efforts in tackling rural wildfires, MP claims

Farmers, landowners and rural communities played a vital role in supporting emergency services to tackle several wildfire outbreaks in the summer. Is it time for the Government to support those who have been left out of pocket since?

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake  said: "Many [farmers] have suffered direct losses, including damage to grazing land, destroyed equipment, and threats to livestock, whilst others have volunteered their time and resources to combat the fires, often at great personal cost. The Government's failure to provide timely compensation and enhanced adaptation policies has left many in the farming community abandoned at a time when they are already grappling with broader challenges."
Image:

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said: "Many [farmers] have suffered direct losses, including damage to grazing land, destroyed equipment, and threats to livestock, whilst others have volunteered their time and resources to combat the fires, often at great personal cost. The Government's failure to provide timely compensation and enhanced adaptation policies has left many in the farming community abandoned at a time when they are already grappling with broader challenges."

Farmers who bravely helped firefighters to stop the spread of large-scale wildfires earlier this year have been let down by a failure from the Government to recognise their efforts and the losses they...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

From the editor: Water is the essence of life

From the editor: Water is the essence of life

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 13 August 2026 • 2 min read
Shadow Defra Secretary calls for faster bluetongue testing and vaccine rollout

Shadow Defra Secretary calls for faster bluetongue testing and vaccine rollout

Victoria Atkins said Defra needed to 'drastically improve' the speed and quantity of communication to farmers, as well as accelerating testing and vaccine availability

Rachael Brown
clock 10 August 2026 • 3 min read
Farmers protest outside Stormont over 'wild west' cattle cull

Farmers protest outside Stormont over 'wild west' cattle cull

Mia Willemsen
clock 10 August 2026 • 5 min read