Following a visit to damaged flood defences in Wainfleet last week, Matt Warman MP raised the issue of badger setts undermining river banks in Parliament.

During Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions, Matt asked the Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss MP for assurances that the Environment Agency’s preferred method of creating artificial setts to relocate the badgers will have a meaningful effect on the riverbanks and safeguard the area from future flooding.

In her response, the Secretary of State hailed the Environment Agency’s plans and said, “I was pleased to meet my hon. Friend and representatives of the local internal drainage boards to discuss flooding in his constituency, and I am pleased to hear that the Environment Agency has found a solution to this issue.” She also highlighted that 100,000 acres of farmland in Boston and Skegness will be protected from flooding as part of the Government’s six year programme.

The Government is planning to invest £2.3 billion in work to better protect over 420,000 acres of farmland from flooding by 2021.

After the session, Matt said, “I was very pleased to receive the Secretary of State’s assurance that relocating badgers which are causing flood risks will be a workable solution. I will continue to work with local groups and the Environment Agency to ensure the flood risks to towns like Wainfleet are reduced.”

• Matt’s question can be seen in full via the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm160204/debtext/160204-0001.htm#16020456000429