The workshops will be of interest to growers who have traditionally used trickle and drip irrigation methods without the need for an abstraction licence, and those who already have licences to abstract water which do not acknowledge existing trickle and drip irrigation.
The events will give members the opportunity hear from the Environment Agency about how to complete the application form, how to compile supporting evidence, and how the Agency will accept or reject the application.
Workshop details, including instructions on how to book your place, are set out below:
Date | Time | Venue | Booking |
---|---|---|---|
Friday 9 February | 10 - noon | County Showground Stafford ST18 0BD | NFU West Midlands 01952 400500 |
Friday 9 February | 2.30 – 4.30 | Kindle Centre Hereford HR2 7JE | NFU West Midlands 01952 400500 |
Thursday 15 February | 10 - noon | LGVA, 37-39 Turners Hill Cheshunt EN8 8NP | LVGA 01992 625076 |
Thursday 15 February | 4.30 – 6.30 | WSGA Growtrain Oving PO20 2BX | NFU south east 01730 711950 |
Friday 16 February | 11 - 1 | LJ Betts Church Farm Offham ME19 5NZ | NFU south east 01730 711950 |
Members unable to attend one of the events should look out for an instruction film on how to apply for a new licence, which we hope will be produced after the workshops.
We will be producing a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document with the Environment Agency that collates all the questions raised during the workshop series, and this will be made generally available to growers.
The new authorisations application window opened on 1 January 2018, and does not close until the end of December 2019.
Paul Hammett, NFU water specialist, recommends that farmers and growers start early in understanding the new licensing process, and what they need to do to secure their long term access to water.
“We have arranged these workshops to help members prepare their application, especially the evidence they will need to collect to support it – some of which might be site specific”, said Paul.
“Growers should not lose sight of the statutory deadlines. Don’t rush, but don’t leave it too late either!” he said.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has produced two briefing for applicants, one covering the new authorisations process in general and the second focusing on the licensing of trickle irrigation. Use the links below to access these briefings: