A farmer at the centre of what is now a national discussion has responded to claims from The Wildlife Trusts and the Environment Agency that he has destroyed part of the River Lugg near Kingsland in Herefordshire by saying he had approval from the Parish Council and the backing of local residents.
Farmer John Price told The Telegraph:
He said: āIām a Herefordshire farmer and have lived at Day Farm and was born here at home. I have never moved and have watched this river all my life and no one knows this river better than myself. I have always looked after the river. I was asked to stop the erosion because Iām the land owner so Iām responsible for the river.
āIt was up to the Environmental Agency to look after these rivers but they donāt do any work and havenāt got any money to do the work because they spend it all on clipboards.ā
He added: āI have not pushed any trees out and I havenāt knocked any trees down I have only cleared what ones came down in the flood.
Mr Price went on: āThe flooding has been getting substantially worse over the last 10 years and will continue to get worse if a certain amount of work is not done like I have been allowed to do by the Environment Agency.
āI have got the support of the village and parish council and they had a meeting especially about the work being done. They all said what a wonderful job John Price has done and recommended that they send me a letter thanking me for that work and saving the river and helping the flooding.ā
However despite Mr Priceās claims, the Environment Agency are continuing to investigate the incident, alongside West Mercia Police and Herefordshire Council.
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