The announcement was made following this week’s meeting of the Water for Food Group of food and farming organisations, which discussed current water availability and future prospects.
Paul Hammett, NFU water specialist, welcomed the EA's announcement. He said:
“This is the latest example of the agency responding to our sector’s call for maximum flexibility in the way that licences are managed and regulated.
“With this year’s irrigation season coming to an end, it's common sense that farmers should be allowed to refill reservoirs when water is available rather than wait until November as the official beginning of the winter filling season.
“The problem is that flows in many rivers in the south and east will be too low for farmers to take advantage of this offer – and they are the farmers who could really benefit from it."
England as a whole experienced above the long term average (LTA) rainfall in August, but LTA was below average in the south east (86%) and east (84%).
This north-south split has continued into September, with rainfall only 16% of LTA in the south east to date.
River flows remain low in the south and east and the majority of sites are below normal or lower - seven indicator sites are exceptionally low whereas the majority of indicator sites in the north and extreme south west are normal.
Chalk groundwater levels in the south and east continue to decline causing low baseflows, with reports of low flows and ecological impacts. Recovery is not expected until the arrival of autumn and winter rainfall.
Groundwater levels in parts of the east and south east are tracking similar levels to 1996/7 and 2005/6 drought years. Levels in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire are similar to those in 1991/2.
Soil Moisture Deficits (SMD) have generally increased in the south and east since the end of July, with much of the south and east below average for the time of year (soils are drier than average).
Members can find out more here about Environment Agency flexible licensing options
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