Diary
Check back here for the latest information on board meetings, workshops and events
Book now for a slot at one of the new members surgeries. 30min to 60min slots available from 10am to 3pm. To confirm please email or call Steve Moncaster (07710 6087710 or [email protected])
Starting at 9.30am
Managing carbon and water in lowland landscapes" Tuesday January 20 2026, The Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ starting at 9.30am
Broadland members meeting to discuss levy for continuing work on the EAs Broads Plan. Meeting to be held at Summer House Farm, Lettuce Lane, Martham starting at 9am.
The latest irrigation prospects report was published in June 2025 and can be found here:
Information on the current drought can be found here:
Notes from drought in agriculture from dry weather and drought in England briefing: 15 to 21 August 2025, which can be found here:
Although heatwave conditions have abated, there has been no substantial rain so impacts continue across the agriculture sector. As of 20 August, there are currently 1,120 hands off flow restrictions in force on abstraction licences. Hands off flows are in-built conditions on some abstraction licences that require abstractors to either reduce or stop abstraction when flows fall below a predetermined level set out in the licence.
Where river flows have been low, we are constantly reviewing the need for Section 57 spray irrigation bans in parts of East Anglia. We have previously written to licence holders in East Anglia, requesting voluntary reductions on surface water abstraction. This will help conserve and extend the total period when water is available for abstraction, protect the environment and delay the need for any formal restrictions. We are also monitoring the River Wye catchment in the West Midlands for any potential Section 57 bans and continue to engage with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the agriculture community to promote good irrigation practice and water efficiency. We sent letters on 14 August to 254 abstractors in the Wye Catchment asking for voluntary reductions. In total there are 835 voluntary restriction requests in place.
With farmers now in the main harvesting season there are some concerns around lifting of root vegetable crops, particularly where irrigation is limited. There have been impacts on grass growth and maize especially where rainfall and irrigation has been limited. Winter wheat has seen record breaking yields in places but crops such as peas have suffered due to heat stress and drought conditions. Straw and fodder stocks are expected to be in short supply this year, with higher prices expected as a result and livestock farmers may have to buy in food or sell animals to reduce pressure on feed supplies. Uncertainty and significant challenges remain in the sector especially if there is a dry autumn/winter period and farm irrigation reservoirs are not refilled, which may impact on the next year’s planting of crops.
We continue to engage with the agriculture sector and have received 25 flexible abstraction requests. These help abstractors manage with the exceptionally dry weather. Following the recent round of local resource options, we are currently reviewing applications to help farmers and growers improve long term water resilience.
We continue to proactively update our dry weather communications for the agriculture sector, through the Environment Agency dry weather farming blog and Engagement HQ webpage, to highlight support available to farmers to help improve access to water.
The Defra Farming Profitability Review is looking at:
- how farmers can reduce barriers to profitability, increase profit and manage their own risk to improve financial resilience, such as through embracing innovation, improving productivity, increasing market access and using risk management tools
- how the supply chain can support farm profitability such as through greater transparency, cooperation and ensuring a fairer distribution of risks, rewards and responsibilities
- whether there are other ancillary activities that farmers can undertake to support profitability and wider economic growth
The review will be led by the cross-bench peer and former NFU president and farmer Baroness Minette Batters, following her direct appointment by Defra’s Secretary of State on 7 April 2025.
She will work with farmers and growers across all land areas and sectors in order to help identify recommendations and actions that will support farming profitability as part of this government’s New Deal for Farmers.
Her review will help inform the development of the Food Strategy, Farming Roadmap and the Land Use Framework, as well as wider government missions and priorities, including growth. This will help ensure our farming sector is more viable, self-sustaining and competitive in the long-term.
Information on the Farm Profitability Review can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-profitability-review-terms-of-reference
Norfolk Environment Food and Farming has met with Baroness Batters and submitted evidence to the Review. We are currently awaiting publication of the final report and recommendations.