Farmers in the region may be forced to reconsider their future in agriculture because of a double whammy of floods and relentless wet weather.

Alec Turnbull, of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), today said problems caused by the weather were just adding to the pressures for arable farmers already hit by the financial crisis in the industry.

But it has emerged that arable farmers affected by floods could be thrown a lifeline in the shape of Government help.

Mr Turnbull, senior policy adviser for the north-east, said: "Arable farmers have been under severe financial pressure throughout the last 18 months with unsustainably low commodity prices and high fuel prices.

"The current weather patterns have placed them in a position where they are now considering their future in agriculture.

"Farmers are reassessing their position, and attitudes are changing because, financially, the industry is on its knees."

But Countryside Minister Elliot Morley has announced that emergency powers would be used to stop farmers losing out on European subsidies.

They will be allowed to allocate any flooded fields as "set aside" land and claim money for keeping them empty.

Also, any farmers who decided to re-sow destroyed crops would, if the wet weather continued, benefit from an extension to the date by which they must be grown to qualify for subsidies.

Mr Morley said: "I think farmers will find this helpful. These are measures we have been asked to implement by the National Farmers' Union."

The Minister made his announcement during a Westminster Hall debate about flooding in the Vale of York led by the constituency's MP Anne McIntosh.

She had earlier called for compensation for affected farmers "already in the depths of a crisis" before the arrival of the floods.

More than 1,000 acres had been flooded on five farms in one part of her constituency she said, adding that the damage to rural areas was a result of the protection of towns. Building homes on the Vale of York flood plain had contributed to the devastation caused by the floods, she said, and she called for a moratorium on construction until the possible consequences were known.

Detailing arable farmers' weather problems, the NFU's Alec Turnbull said the potato harvest appeared to be the most severely affected, with about 40 to 50 per cent of the crop in the north-east region remaining in the waterlogged ground.

He said the sugar beet harvest continued to progress very slowly with only the very large six-wheel propelled harvesters managing to travel in the wet conditions.

"York's sugar beet factory is finding it difficult to find sufficient supplies of beet to run at full capacity which could extend the harvest season, adding to problems at the end of the season when losses due to frost damage could be a major factor."

The lifeline linking devastated communities Malton and Norton was today under threat.

All week, a tractor and trailer "bus" service has been operating between the flooded out towns.

But high water levels on Church Street, where it runs, have reached one inch below the tractor's electronic gearbox, Floodline spokesperson Sarah Keys said.

"We are monitoring the situation and expect some boats to arrive from York today," she added.

Hundreds of stranded residents have benefited from the service, provided by Ryedale District Council and local company Ralph Yates and Son. For any advice or information about the flood, ring 01653 600666.