Your Hampshire & Isle of Wight county NFU update

The Environment Agency has begun writing to a small number of farmers on the Isle of Wight after using aerial imagery to identify field manure heaps that may have remained in the same location for more than 12 months within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). Ten advisory letters were issued recently, with further work planned in the future.

The letters are intended to provide advice and guidance on NVZ requirements, which include moving field heaps at least every 12 months. The Environment Agency has indicated that the imagery is being used to identify potential areas of interest rather than to determine compliance on its own.

Farmers receiving a letter are encouraged to review the location and management of field heaps, check relevant NVZ requirements, and seek advice if they are unsure of their obligations.

This work is currently taking place on the Isle of Wight and the Environment Agency has advised that it will keep the NFU informed of any future activity.

We have been advised that the Environment Agency will shortly be sending advisory letters to some farms where aerial imagery suggests a solid manure heap has remained in the same location for more than 12 months within an NVZ.

Where a manure heap appears to have stayed in the same location for longer than 12 months, the EA intends to issue an advisory letter. The Agency has stressed that these letters are intended as advice and guidance, and that no regulatory breach will be recorded as a result of receiving the letter.

If any members have concerns about the letters or would like to discuss this, please contact [email protected]. Or contact your local CSF officer.

Southern Water has applied for a drought order on the River Test following prolonged dry weather and exceptionally low river flows.

The order would temporarily allow the company to continue abstracting water for public supply at lower river levels than normally permitted, helping maintain supplies across parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

For agriculture, the move highlights increasing pressure on water resources during drought conditions and raises concerns about the wider impacts of reduced river flows on irrigation, livestock and aquaculture water supplies and the health of the chalk stream environment.

This situation highlights the increasing need for investment in water storage, water supply infrastructure and greater drought resilience, issues that the NFU continues to lobby Government and water companies on, to ensure farming businesses can remain productive and resilient in the face of more frequent extreme weather events.

3 September: Greg Stafford MP, Farnham and Bordon meeting. Open to members with a particular interest in the lack of abattoir provision in our region. Please contact me if you would like to attend.  

5 September: Alresford show. Deputy President, Paul Tompkins will update members at the member breakfast at 8am, breakfast rolls from 730am. 

9 September: Back British Farming Day 

12 September: Romsey Show

19 September: IOW Ploughing Match 

18 November: North Hampshire branch AGM at Test Valley Golf club. 6pm start. 

24 November: Isle of Wight, county annual open meeting, 6pm at Harvey Browns Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President will address members. 

2 December: Hampshire county annual open meeting at South Winchester golf club, 6pm. Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, will address members. 

South East water have just launched a livestock register so businesses can get some degree of priority treatment if they are cut off or impacted by lower pressure given current drought conditions.  

If you are livestock keeper and are serviced by South East Water please do register.

We’d like to share a new briefing from The Wildlife Trusts that members may find useful, particularly those farming alongside beavers.

The document focuses on how farmers can prepare for beaver presence, with practical guidance and considerations to support planning and decision making.

If this is relevant, you can access the briefing below

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been developing a proposal for a wild beaver release on the Isle of Wight since 2021. The proposed release area focuses on the Eastern Yar and Wroxall Stream catchments, where conservation organisations collectively manage over 600 hectares of wetlands. The Trust has been engaging with riparian landowners, farmers, and local stakeholders over the last three years through workshops, site visits and a steering group. Following the legalisation of wild beaver releases in March 2025, the project has now been invited by Natural England to submit a full licence application for a proposed 10‑year programme. 

In Hampshire, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission established the first Hampshire Beaver Advisory Group in 2024 in response to beavers naturally dispersing along the Hampshire Avon and nearby tributaries. The group brings together key stakeholders and statutory bodies to share information, coordinate local understanding and consider county specific issues, particularly relating to sensitive habitats such as chalk streams and the New Forest. The Advisory Group does not manage beaver releases or provide operational support, however, it acts as an important coordination forum. As beavers continue to expand naturally, the group is expected to support the development of local Beaver Management Groups and help build capacity within catchment partnerships. This work will align with the forthcoming National Beaver Strategy, which is currently being co‑designed by Natural England, the Environment Agency, Defra and national stakeholders.