Several other farmers are keen to take slurry to spread on their own fields, and ways to deal with worries over water pollution are being squared with the EA. As for animal welfare, Peter Willes, one of the dairies' co-owners, points out that it is in his own economic interests to keep his animals happy and productive.

ECONOMIST: Industrial dairy farming

Dave Throup, from the EA, said the pumps were performing well and were capable of removing 4.2 tonnes of water a second.

BBC: New Worcestershire flood defences 'working well'