FARMERS are being urged to complete a soil protection review by September 1, or risk severe financial penalties.

The review needs to be completed as part of the next layer of cross compliance rules and, with farmers entering their busiest time of the year, the NFU says it is vital to complete it well in advance of the deadline.

To help them meet the deadline, farmers are being invited to attend workshops at Stratford Cattle Market at 2pm and 7pm today, organised by the West Midlands Rural Hub network under the Green Futures banner with the support of the NFU, CLA, the Environment Agency, the Rural Development Service and Momenta. Places can be booked on 01785 284722.