A new service designed to help match farmers and growers who urgently need water with neighbouring farm businesses who have a surplus has been launched by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
The Water Bank follows an appeal by the NFU to the Environment Agency (EA) at last week’s Agricultural Drought Summit for more flexibility in the abstraction licensing system.
Water trading
The EA has agreed to consider and approve wherever possible fast-track, short-term trades of water to help farmers cope with pressures on food production caused by the unprecedented spell of hot, dry weather.
Water trading will be localised with donors and recipients needing to operate within the same hydrological unit meaning the same river or groundwater aquifer.
NFU vice president Stuart Roberts said the new service will help unlock access to much-needed water to help produce the nation’s food.
“The NFU made it abundantly clear at the drought summit that many farming sectors are being impacted by challenges around irrigation and water shortage.
We emphasised to the EA that there is a narrow window of opportunity for local and rapid decision-making for the remainder of the irrigation season. We’re pleased that the EA has taken our concerns on board.
“The launch of the NFU Water Bank as a web-based noticeboard could be of considerable help to some of our members who are quickly running out of water for fruit and vegetable production as they use up their annual abstraction volumes. Livestock who rely on drinking water from abstracted sources are also at risk.
“We will keep looking for solutions that help alleviate the pressures that are building on the farming industry caused by this agricultural drought.
“It really is a timely reminder that we shouldn’t take food production for granted in this country.”
