27 June 2011

As Defra convenes the latest drought summit today, it remains clear that recent rainfall, though it has certainly helped some farmers and replenished reservoirs, does not mean the threat of drought is over. 

Damage to crops in drought stricken areas is now irreversible and recent rainfall will have little or no effect on most groundwater levels. If the forecasts for a return to dry weather in July are accurate, further pressure on water resources could mean drought conditions spread later this summer. This means restrictions on abstraction licences, hosepipe bans, low river flows posing a threat to wildlife and reduced groundwater levels could well continue into the autumn.

The increased likelihood of a late start to the recharge of aquifers, after predictions 2011 will be a fourth consecutive year with low winter rainfall, has also raised concerns that next year hard hit regions could suffer worse problems.

 Experts say that, although the recent rain in Wales and the South East means the regions have already exceeded the average rainfall for the month, replenishing some affected rivers, it will have little or no effect on groundwater levels, because the soil is so dry that excess surface water will not filter through into aquifers. Levels are below normal in parts of Eastern, Central and South Western England, and parts of Wales.

Abstraction sanctions removed

Increased river flows have allowed some farmers to resume abstracting, however, The Environment Agency (EA) has warned that an earlier start to abstractions this year may mean some growers reach their limits earlier. Moreover, around 900 farmers across the drought affected areas in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been warned by the Environment Agency that if dry weather returns, section 57 notices may need to be issued in the second half of July. 27 farmers on the Walland and Romney Marsh, in Kent, have escaped formal Section 57 notices, which have been suspended after the recent rain.

Livestock farmers concerned about availability of stock

Livestock farmers also remain concerned about the availability and cost of feed and bedding for next winter. The National Pig Association (NPA) has issued calls for arable farmers to begin baling rape straw, claiming there will be good commercial demand for it.

The latest Met Office forecasts, which do predict continued rainfall over the next month, suggest the hardest hit areas of the country, the Midlands and East Anglia, will still not receive enough rainfall. Furthermore, Northern parts of England and Wales could be faced with wet weather impacts which could be equally problematic in terms of damage to crops.

There have been calls to prioritise food production in future plans for coping with drier summers and the effects of climate change. The NFU said, “Top priorities must include ensuring that there is an appropriate allocation of water available for food production. Also, farmers and growers must have the support to access skills and capital for optimal water use and management on-farm.” 

The EA has said it is exploring the possibility of facilitating abstraction groups in agriculture and horticulture, to counteract the impacts dry conditions in parts of the UK are having on farmers and growers.

Junier Browne, senior adviser in the abstractions team at the Agency said, “With abstraction groups licence holders can group together and use any spare capacity on their licences. That would be limited by geography but we are looking at putting the facility there and relaxing some of the provision for who can abstract, for example.”