Farmers have criticised the lack of government action after environment secretary Michael Gove promised to help them after this summer’s heatwave and drought.

The country experienced its driest early summer for nearly six decades, and the extreme conditions took their toll on harvests.

Mr Gove vowed to support farmers after meeting with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in August, but union president Minette Batters said there has been “little Government action” since then.

“We admired the Secretary of State’s words of reassurance when he attended the NFU’s agricultural drought summit last month, but we are yet to see meaningful assistance to farmers who have to deal with the long-term impacts of the extreme weather,” she said.

She added that governments in Scotland, Wales and elsewhere in Europe have put in place measures to assist farm businesses, but that in England “the situation is very different”.

“We know the Secretary of State values British food production, but – despite the recent turn in the weather – we still need to see action,” she added. “A bit of rain does not wash the problems away.”

The NFU has called for flexibility on rules which mean many farmers are not allowed to graze or cut grass from certain areas of land.

Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Show all 15 1 /15 Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show of the old garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire which was taken out in the 1940's but can now be seen again through the parched grass Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of WWII Air raid shelters on Jesus Green in Cambridge show up in the parched grass SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk show up Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Info showing how crop marks are made SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield show up in the parched grass in Hampshire Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks near Langstone, Newport RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW/SWNS Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of Caistor Roman town in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Penllwyn Roman fort in Ceregigion, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Roman site near Magor, South Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Cross Oak hill fort in Talybont, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com

“Without these derogations, farmers face huge uncertainty over whether feed stocks will last the forthcoming winter and what increasing costs they will be facing if they don’t,” Ms Batters added.

It has also asked for a relaxation on water abstraction licensing, support for additional forage and bedding costs and improved cash flow.

An NFU survey of more than 600 members found that 71 per cent have suffered a negative impact from the drought.

It also showed that more than 78 per cent of farmers using forage expect a shortfall in feed reserves this winter – and 90 per cent of farmers growing for spring said they are growing poorer than expected.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it is negotiating with the European Commission on the issue.

A spokeswoman said: “We are seeking a far more useful relaxation of EU laws for our farmers than other member states have sought.

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“Allowing catch or cover crop grazing would, we expect, have limited benefit for our farmers, given the limited crop types that can be grown under current rules in the areas concerned. We expect further news next week on our negotiations with the European Commission to secure a much more beneficial flexibility to increase the availability of fodder resources for livestock.”

Experts have warned that the extreme weather that characterised this year and started with the “Beast from the East” have put “particular stress” on domestic food production, and could increase the prices of some foods.

It has not all been bad news though. The Royal Horticultural Society said the heatwave had brought with it one of the best and earliest harvests of late summer fruits in years.