Floods have brought misery to many farming areas

The Farmers' Union of Wales has said this week's heavy rain and subsequent flooding across large parts of Wales had highlighted the plight facing many of its members in areas particularly prone to flooding.

"Although farmers can have insurance cover for their homes, no such cover exists for outbuildings, stock, produce or land," said the union's director of business development, Emyr James.

"This means that, when large tracts of land are hit by flooding, the farmer has to race against time to save his stock and protect his property."

Devastating flooding in Ruthin earlier this week, for example, has left silt 30cm high on some areas of farmland where ewes were about to start giving birth.

"The land is totally unsuitable for lambing until this debris is removed," said Mr James.

Floods have brought misery to many farmers

"This means that the farmers involved must now seek alternative areas of land, possibly at considerable cost, to enable their ewes to lamb in safety," he said.

The plight of several horses left stranded near the Conwy village of Trefriw also made headlines across the UK - they were later rescued.

Floods have also wreaked havoc with livestock feed like silage, so farmers are having to pay for additional supplies.

Mr James said instances of serious flooding had increased in many areas in Wales in recent years.

Consequently, many farmers who had been hit several times had found it difficult or impossible to find insurance cover.

"The FUW would like our politicians in the assembly and Westminster to examine the possibility of establishing a national emergency disaster fund to assist farmers - and any other businesses - who cannot obtain insurance cover for parts of their operation," he added.