Protect Shropshire farm water supplies, says NFU

Water supplies for farmers in Shropshire should be ring-fenced during the current drought, the National Farmers' Union today said.

The union said the move was necessary to safeguard production of food after the Environment Agency declared a drought across the Midlands yesterday.

John Mercer, regional director for the NFU, warned drought conditions may continue to affect the county until Christmas and into next year.

He said: "We have concerns that Shropshire farm businesses will not be able to operate as effectively.

"However, the NFU is speaking with the Government and Environment Agency about organising summer abstraction.

"The NFU is also trying to ensure a supply of water is ring-fenced for farmers and that legislation and inspections do not hinder agricultural production."

But he said the public should not panic about the effect on crop and livestock production should a hosepipe ban come into force.

"Should there be a hosepipe ban implemented by the water companies across the West Midlands this will not affect crop and livestock production in the county," Mr Mercer said.

"Water for livestock production will be safeguarded. We are also calling on water companies to adopt a common sense approach.

"The agricultural industry, which uses only one per cent of the UK's water supply, has been operating under restrictions for a number of months now and many farmers and growers have already changed practices.

"This includes irrigating at night, investing in farm reservoirs and using technology like trickle irrigation and rainwater harvesting to make the most of the water available to them.

"Farming is a very resilient sector and Shropshire farmers and growers are used to managing and adapting to changes in weather patterns."