Environment watchdogs are to cut red tape to make it easier for farmers to maintain watercourses after the Somerset Levels were hit by prolonged floods last winter.
Thousands of acres of farmland on the levels was underwater for months after record-breaking rainfall last year resulting in some farmers having to lay off workers and sell stock.
The Environment Agency came under fire for failing to carry out crucial dredging on the rivers Parrett and Tone, which are vital for drainage of the Somerset Levels, and blocking farmers from carrying out maintenance themselves.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson conceded earlier this year that years of neglect which had left vital rivers silted up were partly to blame.
After a series of meetings involving the Minister and the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the agency is now drawing up a six-month pilot scheme which would allow farmers to carry out maintenance to reduce the threat of flooding.
That was welcomed by the NFU which said the floods damaged farmers' incomes, the land and wildlife.
"Part of the problem for farmers with watercourses on their land is who is responsible for the management of it," spokesman David George said.
"It makes life very difficult and anything that would make that simpler would be very much welcome.
"The problem last year wasn't that the flooding happened but that it was allowed to go on for so long. Crops were ruined and because of the time it took to clear.
"The Environment Agency said it couldn't pump the water off quickly because it would reduce the amount of oxygen in the rivers and affect the fish.
"This is prime, grade A agricultural land and yet they seem to be more concerned about the plight of the fish that the plight of the future of farming."
Details of the new project emerged in a report to the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
It said: "Priority has been given to deliver the actions from the Secretary of State which focussed on improving access and engagement on our maintenance plans, reducing red tape and making it easier for farmers and landowners to undertake watercourse maintenance.
"We have been working with Natural England to ensure that proposals to reduce red tape do not compromise the environment.
"We have incorporated conditions into the guidance to ensure that watercourse maintenance is undertaken responsibly...
"We will ensure that any proposals do not result in damage to the environment. "
