TOUGHER Government action is needed to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Wye, a group of business leaders say.
The West Midlands Business Council (WMBC) was responding to an Environment Agency consultation on its plans to reduce the risk of flooding.
WMBC Rural Economy Group chairman and National Farmers Union regional director David Collier, said: "The rural business community is united in calling for the Government to do everything it can to reduce the risks from flooding.
"The extreme flooding of 2007 and 2008 has taught us a very clear lesson – we must always be prepared for these events and make sure that businesses are resilient to the risks of flooding.
"That is why, in our submission to the Environment Agency, we have stressed the importance of adequate river maintenance on the Wye and its tributaries and of integrated flood risk management. Rural businesses are only too aware of the risks posed when critical infrastructure and drainage systems are allowed to fall into disrepair.
"We are also concerned about development within the flood plain and pressure for housing numbers within the Wye catchment. The Environment Agency must put forward robust plans to ensure that new housing development does not increase flood risks for neighbouring businesses.
"Where housing is built in inappropriate locations flood risk will increase elsewhere and rural businesses will end up picking up the tab. In some circumstances local farmers could be facing significant crop loss as large areas are flooded.
"That is why we have put forward detailed proposals for the Environment Agency to consider. They can ensure jobs and prosperity in Herefordshire are not put on the line.
This is the first time independent business representative organisations have chosen to come together to speak with one voice on the key regional business issues.