Following this winter's devastating storms, agricultural leaders have called for long-term action to protect vulnerable farm businesses from flooding in the Norfolk Broads.
Recent rainfall has left arable fields and grass pastures underwater for many weeks in some places, potentially threatening farm profitability.
Farmers in the Broads, and the Upper Thurne catchment in particular, have been dealing with considerable flooding, with the water slow to recede.
Some feel the impact was worsened because the Environment Agency (EA) has been slow to carry out essential long-term work to maintain river walls.
Rob Wise, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) environment adviser for the East region, joined a meeting of the Upper Thurne Working Group where future solutions were discussed.
He said the EA put further maintenance funding in place after the completion of the 20-year Broadland Flood Alleviation Project in 2021 - a £140m scheme to improve and maintain 240km of defences.
“With funding in place it should have been reasonable to assume that river walls would be maintained to design heights," said Mr Wise.
"But this has not happened, exacerbating the amount of flooding experienced in recent weeks.
"The NFU has discussed the details with farmers and the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and written to the EA urging it to complete temporary reinstatement works as soon as possible and map out its medium-term plans for more permanent reinstatement of the river banks.
"The EA has noted our concerns and informed us that some of the short-term actions have been completed. We look forward to receiving a more detailed longer-term plan as soon as possible."
In response to concerns raised by farmers over the maintenance of flood defences on the River Thurne, the Environment Agency said the recent flooding is a result of "sustained water levels" in the river following successive storms - Babet, Ciaran and Henk.
"We will work with partners to review these flood events to see how the impacts can be minimised in future," said an EA spokesman. "We will also continue to contribute to the Broadland Futures Initiative that looks at the area over a longer timeframe."
In the wake of the recent storms, the NFU urged all political parties to outline their plans to protect farming businesses from flooding.
Its priorities include a proactive management plan for Environment Agency-controlled watercourses and flood defences, and fair rewards for farmers who allow flood water to be stored on their land.
Flood relief grants for farmers
Flood-hit farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land after winter storms can now apply for government grants of up to £25,000 towards repair and reinstatement costs.
The grants, through the Farming Recovery Fund, are part of a financial support package announced on January 6, available to eligible areas which have experienced "exceptional localised flooding".
Environment secretary Steve Barclay said: "I know how difficult flooding is for those affected and we will do all we can do support households, farmers and other businesses as they repair and rebuild."
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