Farmers in Norfolk, which was hit hardest by the drought that gripped much of North Western Europe over the spring, have taken on board advice from Defra and the Environment Agency and begun constructing reservoirs in preparation for next spring, which experts say also carries the risk of drought.

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Ensuring a secure water supply is becoming ever more important, especially for crops such as potatoes, which require irrigation, in the face of a changing climate; meteorologists predict that England’s climate will become much drier in the near future.

Last week, the government recommended farmers and local groups take measures to improve the condition of rivers and water sources and make more efficient use of water as part of its Water White Paper, laid out by Defra Ministers and the Environment Agency.

However, aspects of the plans have drawn criticism from farmers, as they appear to suggest water costs will rise and encourage farmers to consider selling their abstraction licences when they are not growing a crop that needs irrigating.

NFU water policy adviser Jenny Bashford, who acknowledged the importance of developing a more sustainable approach to water management, cautioned, "We are concerned about government encouraging a single market in abstraction licence trading, because it could lead to a potential haemorrhaging of agricultural water rights. To guard against this, the NFU has long called for ring-fenced water for farmers and growers who use such a small proportion, just one per cent, of abstracted water."

Environment Agency warns of coming drought

Two reports released ahead of the White Paper by the Environment Agency warn that, unless there is a radical overhaul in the way water is managed in the UK, droughts will become a common occurrence within the coming decades.  The Water White Paper and EA reports come as water companies in the South East have applied for drought permits to increase abstraction and urged customers to curb water usage to avoid restrictions being placed on supplies next year.

An EA spokesperson reiterated that farmer s and other water users must begin curbing water use and saving water as part of a new approach to water management. He said, "The current system of allowing water to be taken from rivers by farmers, businesses and water companies has been in place since the 1960s, and in the future will not be able to ensure secure supplies and protect the environment. Reform of abstraction management is critical if people and businesses using water are to adapt to the impacts of climate change."

Conservationists have warned that, without an overhaul of water management, traditional abstraction could see rivers running dry and massive damage caused to wildlife. Earlier in the year, Environment Agency officials were forced to rescue over 200 fish after a stretch of the River Dore dried up in Herefordshire, following two dry summers. Parts of England are even now still in drought.  

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