Helping one another is something we do well in this great country of ours and once again my faith in our communities has been restored recently because the NFU has been inundated with requests from the public to help livestock farmers affected by the severe winter weather.

Thousands of sheep are feared dead and access into many farms is still restricted due to snow drifts several metres high in areas of west Cumbria. Just because we in Kendal have not suffered any snow, doesn’t mean a real natural disaster isn’t taking place virtually on our doorstep.

Farms around the upland areas of Broughton, Millom, Eskdale, Wasdale, Langdale and Ulpha have been particularly badly affected by the snow drifts which in parts have been over 20 feet deep. My colleague in Broughton, Esther Pritt, has been helping her members to dig out sheep from the drifts.

The NFU has called on both Defra and the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) to help those farmers who have suffered heavy losses by providing a temporary, free collection service for animals killed by the snow.

This culminated with the visit of Farming Minister David Heath after extensive NFU lobbying. On a visit to the area, farmers told Mr Heath that they were not looking for government compensation for their losses, but did need help in the disposal of fallen stock – the carcases of animals lost in the snows. He also heard that some farmers simply did not have the money to pay for disposal of the large numbers of stock they had lost, especially after a difficult trading year last year.

While all this is going on, the farmers affected have been working around the clock to try to beat the elements but the unrelenting nature of the snow, wind and freezing temperatures has left a devastating picture.

Nationally the NFU has been overwhelmed with dozens of calls and emails from members of the public and we thank them for the messages of goodwill. The best way of helping is to donate to the three main farming charities – RABI, The Addington Fund and The Farm Community Network – and we are liaising closely with them to ensure those farming families in financial difficulty get the help and support they need.

The weather has completely knocked the stuffing out of the industry over the past year which has been unrelenting with heavy rain, floods and now this long winter. We will continue to work with our members in the worst affected parts of the country identifying areas where we can help them get through this difficult and traumatic time.

I would also encourage shoppers to buy British to show their appreciation for the hard work of our great British farmers.

The three key farming charities are: The Addington Fund, who help with animal feed costs.

RABI helps farming families in financial difficulty as a result of emergencies, such as adverse weather.

FCN helps farmers by providing practical and pastoral support whenever they face difficulties, whether they relate to the farm business or the farm household. The Helpline is available from 7am to 11pm every day of the year – 0845 367 9990.