28/06/2005 - A new water
resources toolkit for farmers was launched
in Peterborough today (Monday 27 June). The
toolkit is the result of a six month pilot
project carried out as part of the Sustainable
Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS) in the East
of England. It includes information on the
key issues relating to water management demand,
the experiences of others who are instigating
or co-ordinating similar projects in other
catchment areas, and a network of contacts
for further information on specialist areas.
The pilot project looked at improving the
effectiveness of agricultural water resources
by bringing together all the different organisations
and individuals that affect agricultural water
use. Feedback from project participants was
used to compile the toolkit to ensure it is
a practical, valuable resource for agricultural
water users.
A series of events, held over the last six
months, was included as part of the project
to look at current and future water demands
in the Middle Level, and ways in which management
techniques could be enhanced to ensure sustainability
of supplies.
One of the events was a visit to a farm which
demonstrated how, even with the challenge
of less water for agricultural use, changes
in processes and investment in equipment could
improve water management and the efficiency
of water use, whilst still ensuring that produce
is grown to the required standards. Other
events included a water trading day, reservoir
visit, grant workshop and evaluation workshop.
Sustainable water use is especially important
in the East of England, which is the driest
part of the country and is also the fastest
growing. 76% of the land in the region is
currently used for agriculture so sustainable
water use will have a big impact on water
resources in the region as a whole.
Paul Woodcock, the Enivronment Agency's Anglian
Regional Director said, "We are delighted
to be working so closely with our friends
and partners in industry and across both the
public and private sector. We have worked
together to find ways in which management
techniques can be improved to increase the
sustainability of supplies and hope, as a
result, that agricultural water users will
find the toolkit informative and useful."
The SFFS project has been funded by the East
of England Development Agency. Lead partner,
the Environment Agency, has worked closely
with Agricultural Development in the East
of England (ADER), Country Land and Business
Association (CLA), National Farmers' Union
(NFU) and the Rural Development Service of
DEFRA.
