After having the benefit of free pumping for years, the farmers/landowners in the Lyth Valley have the audacity to think it’s a good idea for taxpayers (who already pay tens of thousands in farming subsidies) to pay a levy towards running their pumps. Farmers don’t pay: 1 capital gains tax, I will; 2 inheritance tax, I will; 3 don’t require planning permission, I do.

They are the ones to benefit from draining what were flood plains.

‘Farming’ in my opinion has caused massive degradation of our countryside and wildlife. I remember having to clean insects of all kinds from my car bonnet - no more; seeing and hearing swarms of birds - no more; clouds of butterfly - seen about a dozen this year; so very few bees etc. Drive through any farmland area and count the wildlife you see. It’s mostly road kill.

Pesticides and fungicides polluting water streams/rivers lead to green algae. The countryside is dead. How many hares/rabbits do you see? Foxes, very few. The countryside is dead and barren compared to 40 to50 years ago.

Due to modern farming practices yield per acre is everything. Hang the environment.

I object strongly to continuing to be forced to contribute to this unsustainable food production.

Why are we continuing to pour subsidies into hill farming? It must be a very hard life. Why don’t they stop farming on hills and do it on the flat bits?

There are tens of thousands of acres of lovely, unused green fields sheep and cows could use that are never used. Just travel around and see for yourself. The hills should be for wildlife and trees, where people can wander about, not sterile patches of bowling green quality grass devoid of anything but sheep.

I am in favour of the RSPB's view about switching off pumps.

J. Meadowcroft

Kents Bank Road