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Reservoirs needed to avoid job losses in east Suffolk Reservoirs needed to avoid job losses in east Suffolk
Plans to reduce water abstraction for irrigation in east Suffolk could be made workable by making it easier to invest in reservoirs and infrastructure,... Reservoirs needed to avoid job losses in east Suffolk

Plans to reduce water abstraction for irrigation in east Suffolk could be made workable by making it easier to invest in reservoirs and infrastructure, says a report. A planned 30% reduction in water for irrigation over the next 20 years would translate directly into lost output across the local and national economy, suggests the study. This could cost an estimated 2,500 jobs.

But those losses could be avoided by making it easier for farmers to invest in reservoirs and water management infrastructure – while continuing to protect the environment while producing high-value irrigated crops. The value of water used for food production was studied by consultants from Risk and Policy Analysts on behalf of the East Suffolk Water Abstractors Group (Eswag) and Norfolk Environment Food and Farming.

Stark message

John Patrick of Eswag delivered a stark message. Without adequate water, farming on the Suffolk coast would be impossible, he told a recent meeting of farmers and other stakeholders at Home Farm Nacton, near Ipswich.

Home Farm Nacton managing director Andrew Francis said he was increasing the farm’s water storage capacity by 35,000m3 by extending one of its eight reservoirs, which can already hold more than 800,000m3 of water. The business recently missed out on grant funding due to a technicality, explained Mr Francis. A long term outlook was vital to encourage investment and ensure that farmers and food producers had adequate water, he added.

Much of the farmed area in east Suffolk is light land which can be worked year round. This makes it highlighy productive. But without irrigation, it remains difficult to compete in terms of producing mainstream crops. With the capability to irrigate 98% of the farmed area, Nacton focuses on high-value, early-season crops harvested from May to July followed by winter-harvested second crops.

Storage

Water consultant Bob Hillier, who attended the meeting, said: “We need water storage. We need more reservoirs and we need the Rural Payments Agency working with Defra and government to come out with the next round of grants.”

A lot of iinnovative irrigation systems relied on water storage, said Mr Hillier. More investment, more amenable planning rules and a sensible approach to abstraction licences would all help to improve water management.

“Solutions are required now because climate change and population growth are arelady having an impact on access to water. There needs to be more innovative solutions that meet environmental targets as well.”