The ‘Water for Food’ group grew out of the Defra-appointed agricultural group formed in response to the 2010-12 drought. When the Defra group was disbanded at the end of the drought, some farming organisations decided to continue to work together on issues relating to food and water security.
Paul Hammett, NFU national water resources specialist said, ‘Defra’s reform proposals will have a significant impact on individual irrigators and on our collective ability to grow food.
It’s really important that we find as much consensus as possible as we move forward and I’m delighted that the Water for Food group has been able to issue a statement which signals our unity on some of the fundamental questions being asked by Defra’.
The organisations who submitted the ‘Water for Food’ group consultation response are:
- British Growers Association
- Country Land & Business Association
- Horticultural Trades Association
- National Farmers’ Union
- Potato Council
- UK Irrigation Association