Farmers in Bedfordshire and St Neots are urging the government to ensure reliable water access as the region faces its driest spring in over a decade.
Freya Morgan, NFU Chair for Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, warns that without reservoirs, crops are already struggling, threatening this year’s harvest. “Dry fields mean less food for wildlife too, like bees and birds,” she said.
Local farmers say current water plans favour public supply, leaving farming needs overlooked. They want more flexible water abstraction policies and continued support for on-farm reservoirs, which provide crucial irrigation during dry spells.
Nick Parrish, a farmer near Shefford with a reservoir, stressed its importance: “Without this water, we couldn’t grow crops like shallots and onions.”
The government acknowledges ageing water infrastructure and climate change challenges, promising investment in new reservoirs and efforts to reduce leaks.
The Environment Agency is working locally with farmers to find solutions to improve water resilience in Bedfordshire.
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