CLA issues advice on prolonged warm, dry weather

CLA North Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn

The CLA has issued advice to farmers and land managers in dealing with the prolonged dry and warm weather.

River flows are below normal levels for more than half of indicator sites in England, and the CLA is encouraging their members who use their own water to be aware of any flow or level restrictions contained in their abstraction licence/s. CLA members who depend on mains water or private supply to check their rent/tenancy agreement to find any rights or obligations which might affect them.

Farmers and land managers do not need a licence for abstractions of 20 cubic meters or less a day, provided the abstraction is part of a single operation. If abstracting from the same source at multiple points, the exemption only applies if the combined total of all abstractions is 20 cubic meters or less a day. For further information or clarification, contact the Environment Agency on email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or telephone 03708 506 506.

Both English and Welsh governments have announced that individual exceptions to agri-environment options may be requested in situations where an agreement holder cannot meet requirements due to adverse weather conditions. Derogations or minor and temporary adjustments can be requested from Natural England to cut hay earlier than is normally permitted and for other options.

For Environmental Stewardship, Derogation forms are available on GOV.UK (here for ELS, here for HLS).

For Countryside Stewardship, the agreement holder can either request an MTA form from Natural England Delivery Services (customer number 0300 060 3900) or download a form from GOV.UK.

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said: “The recent heat and low rainfall have had a range of impacts on farm businesses and rural areas, as well as on fish and other wildlife. A shortage of grass growth for cattle and sheep, and reduced hay and silage which will put pressure on winter feed stocks. In addition, cereal crops are drying off, leading to reduced yields that are also of poorer quality. It will take the best part of 12 months to get over the impacts of the extreme weather conditions experienced over the last few months.”

“While dry weather continues there is an increased risk of wildfires, and we’ve urged our members and the public to be extra vigilant in the countryside.”