How West Yorkshire farmer helped address critical issue of water availability
A West Yorkshire dairy farmer who hosted a summit with the Environment Secretary in the summer to address critical issues facing farmers of water quality and availability has revealed the event is resulting in “real change on the ground”.
Rachel Hallos, who staged the NFU’s first water summit beside a very low water level Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, said some of the industry experts, water companies, environmental NGOs and supply chain representatives brought together for the event had held talks over planning system reforms.
The summit identified changes to planning rules as a key area to support necessary infrastructure improvements on farms for reservoirs and slurry storage – and on supply chain collaboration.
Mrs Hallos’ comments come as 68 per cent of NFU members said that they had seen an increase in drought and 56 per cent said they had seen an increase in flooding in the last decade.
Survey results also showed that of those farmers whose businesses were impacted by severe weather events, 47 per cent reported financial losses of at least £10,000, with 12 per cent reporting losses of over £100,000.
Mrs Hallos said: “In all my years farming I can’t remember a time when we’ve been worried about drought in December.
"While farmers and growers are out the fields, sheds and glasshouses to make sure the food and flowers get to supermarket shelves in time for Christmas, it’s a real concern that water availability – a key ingredient in the production of these products – could be difficult in the year ahead.
“As our weather survey shows, going from extremes between dry weather and flooding is having a knock-on effect on farming and growing businesses, resulting in financial losses at a time when the Defra Secretary has said farm profitability is vital for growth.
"It is essential that farmers and growers have resilience built into their businesses to weather these impacts.”
Water, whether too much or too little, plays a huge role in the nation’s food production and has a knock-on impact on farming and growing businesses.
Since the water summit almost six months ago, the NFU has also supported the creation of a Water Abstractor Group in Shropshire, with further interest being expressed by members in Yorkshire.
Engaged with scientific partners on the potential creation of a pilot scheme to test methodologies for farmers to undertake their own water quality testing, further meetings are set up for the new year.
Mrs Hallos said: “The water summit was just the start of tackling the challenges with water, whether it be resources, flooding or quality.
"It opened the door to having open and honest conversations, which we’re continuing to have almost six months on, and is resulting in real change on the ground. There is still more to be done.
"It is vital that government, local authorities, water companies, environmental NGOs and the supply chain work together collaboratively to ensure farmers and growers have access to a clean supply of water to safeguard UK’s food security.”