Access to water for irrigation is facing continued pressures.
In the immediate term, there are concerns about water availability to fill reservoirs this winter, ahead of potentially more dry weather in 2026.
And in the longer term, the Government is due to publish its response to the Independent Review of the Water Sector by Sir Jon Cunliffe. This will set the direction of travel for the new water regulator being created and regional planning for both water quality and water for abstraction.
Building on last year’s successful water conference, we are again giving members a chance to find out more information on the outlook for abstraction going into 2026 and on new Government policy.
Join us at Elveden Village Hall on Thursday 29 January for an event chaired by Elveden Farms Ltd Managing Director Andrew Blenkiron.
This will be an opportunity for you to comment on future water resources policy as the Government develops a new bill that aims to deliver both clean and plentiful water.
We will also be hearing on the role NEFF (Norfolk Environment Food and Farming) is playing on behalf of its members facing abstraction reductions in the Broads and new water resources projects being piloted by WRE (Water Resources East)
The conference will finish with a case study in water planning on farm.
How to register
To register your interest to attend this event, either: select the 'Register your interest' button below to automatically register,
or Contact [email protected] by email, where a member of the team can assist you.
Event programme
|
10am |
Registration opens – refreshments available |
|---|---|
|
10.30am |
Welcome and introduction to the day |
|
10.40am |
National policy overview
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|
11am |
New and proposed water policy |
|
12pm |
Q&A and feedback from members |
|
12.30pm |
Networking lunch |
|
1.30pm |
Water resource planning in the Broads |
|
2pm |
New agricultural water resources projects |
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2.30pm |
Case study of on-farm water resources planning |
|
3pm |
Closing remarks |
Meet the speakers
Andrew Blenkiron
Managing Director of Elveden Farms Ltd
Mark Betson
National Water Resources Specialist
Mark has joined the NFU from the Church of England where he was providing advice to the church in the House of Lords and national church institutions on public policy issues relating to rural affairs, environmental science, land and heritage.
He has a background supporting agriculture as regional director for the Farming Community Network in the South East and with water research working for Adas as a consultant.
Mark has also been involved volunteering with educational work promoting agriculture in schools and supporting students at land based colleges with the South of England Agricultural Society.
He is now based in Northamptonshire with his family where he has an active involvement in local village life.