2026 drought: NFU action and advocacy timeline
The NFU is pressing government, regulators and industry to support farmers through the immediate impacts of drought and strengthen the resilience of UK food production for the future.
Follow the NFU’s action and advocacy throughout 2026, from meetings with ministers and regulators to evidence gathering and practical work with farmers and water stakeholders.
This timeline will be updated as the NFU continues to engage with government, regulators and industry on the drought.
NFU President and Deputy President met with Minister for Water
NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins met with Minister for Water Emma Hardy to discuss the ongoing impact of dry weather.
They outlined the huge pressures farming is facing following a roundtable with farming organisations.
They briefed the Minister on our ask of a Keep Britain Growing Loan to support farmers in this “far beyond normal” period.
They also highlighted the need to ensure uptake for the Water Management Grant, broaden the scope of the AIA, flexible abstraction, and how we work with government to build resilience in our food system.
The government publish response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework
The government state their commitment to support farmers saying “The government is committed to supporting farmers in strengthening their on-farm water resilience and will publish updated planning practice guidance on permitted development rights for on-farm reservoirs in September.”
See page 69 on the National Planning Policy Framework consultation - government response.
NFU Presidents highlights water shortages to the media
Writing for the Financial Times, NFU President Tom Bradshaw made it clear that British farmers need more help to cope with the brutal heat, and that farmers' efforts to adapt to changing climate conditions are being hampered by planning delays.
NFU welcomes government drought package following Prime Minister's farm visit
Many of the NFU's key asks on drought support, water access and on-farm storage have been recognised in a new government package aimed at helping farmers manage the impacts of extreme weather. The Prime Minister met NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU members on farm in Cornwall to see first hand what is needed.
Paul Tompkins calls for urgent action on water as drought pressures mount
The fourth meeting of the National Drought Group met today, with NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins highlighting the increasing pressure on farmers and growers and setting out the NFU’s priorities for immediate and long-term action.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “With no meaningful rain forecast in the coming weeks, the situation facing farmers and growers is increasingly concerning.
“Many farmers have completed the earliest harvest on record, with poor yields in key crops reported in some areas of the country.”
“Livestock and dairy farmers are already using winter feed because grass has stopped growing, while growers are working hard to keep fruit and vegetables watered, but many are struggling to access the water they need.
“To help farmers and growers now, we need to see a risk register for vulnerable businesses and a more responsive abstraction licensing system. Longer term, a consistent and positive planning approach to reservoirs, further rounds of the Water Management Grant and targeted investment in climate adaptation will be vital to build farming's resilience to extreme weather.
“Water plays a crucial role in food security and the resilience of our nation. By treating water for food as a strategic priority, government can work with farmers to protect crops, livestock businesses and the UK’s long-term food security.”
Labour MPs write to Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle
Labour MPs write to Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle highlighting the need for drought resilience.
NFU updates Minister Hardy at third National Drought Group
National Drought Group meet with Minister Hardy as chair where Paul Tompkins put five key asks from NFU to support agriculture.
NFU President meets Defra Secretary of State to discuss water resilience
NFU President Tom Bradshaw met with the Defra Secretary of State Dame Angela Eagle and discussed the growing drought pressure.
Tom stressed that the government needs to show that they are prioritising water as a critical national infrastructure for food production.
Third meeting of National Drought Group
NFU attended the third meeting of NDG highlighting what has been achieved by better communications in South Level with the Environment Agency.
NFU raises need for agri-environment scheme flexibilities in response to drought
At a Defra stakeholder meeting, the NFU raised the need to plan for additional flexibilities within agri-environment schemes to help farmers manage the impact of potential drought conditions.
NFU launches its harvest survey
The challenges facing UK agriculture require urgent, coordinated action.
NFU Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows sets why giving government a picture of 2026 yields, crop quality, and what members seeing from this year's extreme weather all help the NFU build an accurate national picture – one that strengthens the case when we take these issues to government.
NFU call out effect of drought on ELMs to Defra and RPA
At Groundswell, the NFU raised concerns with Defra and the RPA about the impact prolonged dry weather could have on the delivery of agri-environment schemes.
Paul Tompkins attends second National Drought Group meeting of 2026
Paul Tompkins attended his first National Drought Group meeting on behalf of the NFU, raising members’ concerns about water availability and drought resilience with the need for additional flexibility in agri environment schemes.
NFUonline looks back at 1976
As summer heatwaves become increasingly frequent, British Farmer and Grower Deputy Editor Gary Young reports on what the 1976 drought tells us about the future of farming.
NFU attends Drought Hydrology Conference: 50 Years since 1976
The NFU engages water stakeholders on the scale and urgency of British farming’s needs when it comes to water for food production.
Agri-environment drought derogations discussed
At the Bath and West Show, NFU members met and raised the need for agri-environment drought derogations directly with the with Paul McGuiness, Defra Deputy Director.
First weekly meeting bringing together Area Environment Agency team
First weekly meeting of Area Environment Agency team, Ely Group IDBs, water abstractor groups and NFU in South Level following on from learnings of 2025.
First meeting of the National Drought Group for 2026
In this first meeting the National Drought Group looked ahead to potential challenges and solutions.
The NFU chairs the 2025 EA’s drought learning workshop
The NFU chair the Environment Agency's 2025 drought learning workshop, helping identify lessons and priorities for future drought planning.
The need for flexibility on agri-environment schemes was a key learning from 2025 that the NFU fed back to the National Drought Group.
NFU submits evidence to House of Lords report
NFU gives evidence to House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report ‘‘Surviving drought: reclaim the rain.’ on learning from 2025 drought.
The NFU raises drought concerns
Areas of the country still being in drought in December is serious cause for concern, the NFU has said today, following the National Drought Group's announcement that the country is beginning to recover from this summer’s drought.
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