The Farming Help Appeal 2007 has been launched by Farmers Weekly to help those country families who are struggling, following the Foot and Mouth outbreak, low livestock prices, bluetongue and floods.

Charities involved with the appeal include:

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)

The Farm Crisis Network (FCN)

The ARC-Addington Fund

Successful farmers are asked to help those who are facing difficult times.

Sue Eeley from ARC-Addington Fund said: ‘Although many farmers are facing real hardship, this year has seen a marked upturn in fortunes for some. This initiative is in response to a number of approaches made for an appeal such as the “send a ton” of earlier years and enables the farming community to help its own. Past experience has shown this self-help frequently exists, but often goes unsung.’

Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union, said: ‘My brother Richard and I are aware of our good fortune as arable farmers and are signed up to support this excellent initiative, and would encourage other farmers to do likewise.’

For further information on the The Farming Help Appeal 2007, visit the special Farmers Weekly site.

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