American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall said: "Farmers and ranchers work every day to protect our nation’s waterways and drinking water.

"For more than five years we have advocated for a new water rule that protects clean water and provides clear rules for people and communities to follow.

"This new rule will empower farmers and ranchers to comply with the law, protect our water resources and productively work their land without having to hire an army of lawyers and consultants.

"We want to protect land and water in the communities where we live and work. Clean water is our way of life.

"Preserving our land and protecting our water means healthy places to live, work and play.

"We believe this new Clean Water Rule is rooted in common-sense. It will protect our nation’s water resources and allow farmers to farm.

"We appreciate the months of hard work that the administration, especially the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers, invested in making sure the new Clean Water Rule was done right.

"Unlike the 2015 WOTUS rule, this new rule protects our resources, respects the law and provides greater clarity so the agencies and the public can identify regulated federal waterways.

"We will further analyse this new rule in the coming days and will suggest further refinements during the comment period."