Fylde MP Mark Menzies met with farmers to discuss issues including the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit, and flooding.

Mr Menzies met farmers , in two socially-distanced small groups, to ask if they needed support or help from the Government.

He said: “At the first meeting we discussed flooding on farmland to the rear of Lytham and it is clear the Environment Agency is not listening to our experienced farmers when it comes to drainage.

“I fought for funding for the Dock Road pumping station which serves Main Drain, and I am not pleased to hear farmers telling me that the Environment Agency are not using it to its full capacity ahead of heavy rains.

“I have written to the Agency to ask why they only appear to use the pumps on a reactive basis – when land is flooding. Farmers tell me they call the EA to ask them to lower the level in the drain ahead of storms, but too much water is left in the drain and that causes valuable farmland to flood. We should not be allowing a business to flood – and certainly not one growing food.”

Mr Menzies attended a second meeting in Weeton to talk to farmers about the pandemic and the forthcoming Brexit legislation.

He said: “The farmers were worried the new immigration rules will mean a lack of staff throughout the food production chain – from farming to manufacturing. I told them the Government will have to have a system which can move quickly to allow movement when we need it and to ensure we have enough workers to keep the industry moving.

“I will be writing to ministers to seek assurances – our food manufacturing industry must be protected at all costs.”