Soft fruit, ornamental, field vegetable and other growers who use trickle irrigation are urged to attend NFU meetings to look at the potential impact of new abstraction rules. A meeting for all NFU members will be held in Herefordshire on February 9th at 2.30pm at the Kindle Centre.

The NFU estimates that more than 5,000 water users will have to apply for water abstraction licences for the first time and those who irrigate crops using trickle irrigation methods will be affected.

Defra has also published a water abstraction plan setting out how they will reform abstraction management.

Paul Hammett, NFU water resources specialist, Sarah Faulkner, NFU regional environment adviser, and a team from the Environment Agency, EA, will go through the new system and lead growers through the application process.

Mrs Faulkner said: “These proposals signal a major upheaval to the current abstraction licensing system and it’s absolutely vital that they deliver a fair share of water to help our farmers and growers produce affordable, high quality food.

“Secure access to water at times of drought is crucial for our members and we will continue to focus on the Defra’s plans for managing water at low river flows.”

Members who would like to attend a meeting can book by contacting the regional office on 01952 409247 or [email protected] by email.