EAST Lancashire's farmers have labelled Eurocrats as "puddled" for introducing a system of fines for driving tractors on soggy land.

The new EU directive, which came into force on January 1, means farmers will lose part of their subsidy if so-called 'puddle police' - government inspectors who will enforce the green agricultural methods - catch them operating on saturated fields.

But farmers, National Farmers Union representatives and Ribble Valley's MP, say the people behind the new legislation are 'puddled'.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the move is needed to protect the soil.

But Ribble Valley farmer Thomas Binns, Lancashire's representative on the NFU national council, believes the measures are not needed.

Mr Binns, of Hecklin Farm, Downham, said: "There is concern about this rule, but it shouldn't be a problem for most farmers. It's something that we are doing anyway."

Paul Barnes, of Briercliffe Farm, Blacko, said: "The so-called puddle police might want to make a name for themselves and become heavy-handed. One can argue that there will be an element of Big Brother to it with people watching when we go on our land."

John Alpe, of New Laund Farm at Whitewell, near Dunsop Bridge, said: "Nothing surprises me any more. Farmers look after their own farms so why do we need this? It's another stick to beat us with."

Peter Ainsworth, of Showley Fold Farm, Clayton-le-Dale, said: "We get bad weather and soggy fields all year round here and sometimes you just have to go onto the field."

Under the reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), farmers qualify for the Single Payments Scheme, as long as they comply with new rules on the environment as well as the health of the public, plants and animals. The measures will be enforced by inspectors from the Environment Agency, Defra and other agricultural agencies.

However, the new rules failed to impress Ribble Valley's Tory MP Nigel Evans. He said: "The last thing any farmers would do is damage their land, so why create a regulation like this? It's something that will be enforced in this country, but ignored abroad."

A spokesman for Defra said: "The government is not telling farmers how to farm. But they will be getting £1.7billion of tax-payers' money every year and must ensure that through good practices they protect the soil."