FARMERS are becoming increasingly concerned that ongoing heavy rainfall and floods will mean they cannot comply with some cross compliance rules.

In a letter to the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, NFU Cymru president Stephen James highlighted fears about supplementary feeding and slurry spreading.

"Livestock keepers have little option but to feed where is most appropriate for the welfare of animals because flood water in many instances, is preventing access to parts of the farm," wrote Mr James.

"With lambing in parts of the country now firmly under way, ewes with young lambs have to be protected from the weather, meaning other livestock that may normally be housed at this time, are being forced to be kept outside for longer than usual. Therefore, we would request a relaxation on rules for supplementary feeding on land subject to agri-environment commitments where no other suitable land is available.

"The extreme rainfall has also resulted in slurry stores filling up much quicker than expected and we would request that a pragmatic and flexible approach is adopted to recognise that slurry/waste water will need to be spread as soon as conditions allow."

Natural Resources Wales has issued guidance to help farmers manage slurry storage and spreading. A spokesman said: "We are aware that this winter's bad weather has been a difficult time for farmers. The storms and heavy rain of the last two months have left them with full slurry stores and waterlogged fields unsuitable for spreading.

"This guidance will provide farmers with advice on creating short-term extra storage and, if this is not an option, guidance on spreading slurry while minimising the pollution risk and meeting legal guidelines."

The guidance is on the Natural Resources Wales website www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.

Stephen James also requested a Wales-wide derogation to allow for all hedges to be trimmed until March 31st, rather than the official cut-off of February 28th.

He added: "The sodden conditions have prevented machinery from being able to access agricultural land for much of the period that hedge trimming is allowed. With the continued wet weather forecast and the certainty that even when the weather improves it will take significant time for the land to dry."

NFU Cymru has re-launched its free Fodder Bank scheme to help livestock farmers find feed and bedding for their livestock. Go to www.nfu-cymru.org.uk.