We are working closely with farmers, the Environment Agency and government to help deal with the impact of severe flooding on lives, farm businesses and wildlife in Cumbria and elsewhere.

To help those affected we are temporarily lifting all the requirements that normally apply to Environmental Stewardship agreements and protected sites, so that farmers and others are better able to deal with the problems caused by this week’s terrible weather.

Simon Humphries, Natural England`s Area Manager for Cumbria said:

Farmers are facing some incredibly difficult conditions on their land due to the recent floods and we want to provide help and advice, wherever we can, to support the farming community.

We hope that this temporary lifting of restrictions will go some way to helping farmers at this difficult time.

Our priority is always public safety and we urge people to keep up to date with the latest situation by paying close attention to advice from the Environment Agency.