Farmers criticise river floods scheme

Farmers have criticised the Environment Agency over the body's proposals to "deliberately increase" the frequency of flooding along the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy.

At a National Farmers' Union meeting in Welshpool last week members opposed plans to tackle downstream flooding.

NFU Cymru county chairman Bob Morgan said: "We've already expressed our grave concern at proposals contained in the agency's consultation on a River Severn Catchment Flood Management Plan.

"The views expressed in the meeting merely endorse what NFU Cymru has said all along, that the principle of increasing the frequency of flooding here in Montgomeryshire so as to deliver benefits elsewhere is simply unacceptable."

He added: "One bone of contention expressed by many at the meeting was that the consultation period has been far too short to allow for meaningful debate and consideration of their plans with many believing that this is an attempt to limit, even stifle debate on the Environment Agency's plans."

Kevin Owen of the NFU said it would prepare a response. He said: "We as NFU Cymru are preparing our response but basically we will be taking the EA to task on a number of issues, not least the need to review management priorities and even legislation.

He added: "Further withdrawal of regular EA maintenance on many tributaries is just lacking in 'common sense' and will lead to obstruction and blockage of water courses slowing down flows."