At NFU Council in April 2026, it was agreed that a water resources task and finish group would be established to steer NFU water resources policy development and to enhance NFU governance on water resources.
Access to an adequate secure supply of water for irrigation is business-critical for many members across the country. Abstraction licence holders are facing potential cuts to their licence volume and changes to the licences they hold, such as a move to permitting, which is increasingly impacting decisions on farm around investment and production particularly in the horticultural sector.
The policy landscape is also changing. Following the Water White Paper and recommendations of the Cunliffe review, new or revised regional partnerships are being established to deliver on regional planning and a new regulator is being developed.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Farming and Food Partnership Board and associated workstreams such as sector growth plans provides an opportunity for a concerted effort to develop and push key asks for the short, medium and long term for the betterment of farm businesses that depend on abstraction.
“The importance and complexity around access to water at this critical juncture cannot be overstated so it was fantastic to convene the first water resources task and finish group recently at our offices in London with representation from across the country and from our sector boards.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins
Objectives
The group will focus on strengthening engagement across the NFU and with external stakeholders, including reviewing links with Water Abstractor Groups and the Environment Agency, and ensuring clear communication with members.
It will help guide NFU policy and also support wider NFU work while reviewing the NFU’s approach to water governance and identifying where the NFU can best target its resources to influence decision-makers.
Group membership
The group is chaired by NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins. It includes elected representatives from across the North, Midlands, East and South, ensuring national coverage.
Members also represent key NFU sector boards, including crops, horticulture, dairy and the NFU Potato Policy Group, alongside NFU Council.
This group is supported by NFU staff, including policy specialists and communications leads. Technical consultees will be invited as required.
Areas of discussion
At its first meeting on 2 June, the group focused on key priorities shaping water resources policy and engagement.
NFU Water Resources Specialist Mark Betson provided an overview of the current policy landscape, setting the context for discussion.
A significant part of the meeting explored how the NFU engages on water resources. This included discussion on working with Water Abstractor Groups, individual abstractors and the Environment Agency, as well as how input from NFU boards and external stakeholders is fed into policy development.
The meeting concluded with a review of the NFU’s current key asks on access to water and wider water resources, including the organisation’s Blueprints for Growth and its work on Delivering Sustainable Water.
Key actions
Actions from the first meeting included:
- Developing a clear communications and engagement plan, including improving links with stakeholder groups such as Water Abstractor Groups and Water for Food.
- Continuing work on policy development, including reviewing current NFU asks and identifying future priorities.
- Strengthening the evidence base by exploring the economic impact of water challenges on farm businesses, but also broadening to look at the economic importance of water for our food production.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “The importance and complexity around access to water at this critical juncture cannot be overstated so it was fantastic to convene the first water resources task and finish group recently at our offices in London with representation from across the country and from our sector boards.
“The focus now turns to delivering on the actions and ensuring that access to a secure water supply is front and centre across government.”
