Farm Water FuturesFarm Water Futures

3030ththMarch 2010March 2010

The Wheatsheaf Inn.The Wheatsheaf Inn.The Wheatsheaf Inn.The Wheatsheaf Inn.Andrew Alston Andrew Alston

Agricultural Water Management Agricultural Water Management

Background to abstraction issuesBackground to abstraction issues

�� 1994 Wild Birds & Habitat Directive1994 Wild Birds & Habitat Directive

Review Of ConsentsReview Of Consents--EAEAReview Of ConsentsReview Of Consents--EAEA

�� 2000 Water Framework Directive2000 Water Framework Directive

CAMSCAMS-- Environment AgencyEnvironment Agency

CSFCSF-- Defra/Natural EnglandDefra/Natural England

River Basin Management PlansRiver Basin Management Plans--EAEA

EnvironmentEnvironment

�� The Protected EnvironmentThe Protected Environment

�� SSSISSSI

�� SACSAC

SPASPA�� SPASPA

�� RamsarRamsar

�� Natura 2000 Natura 2000

�� Examples: Ant Broads & Marshes, Holt LowesExamples: Ant Broads & Marshes, Holt Lowes

Abstraction Abstraction

�� BAWAG currently has 170 members from BAWAG currently has 170 members from Waveney to Kings Lynn with abstraction Waveney to Kings Lynn with abstraction licences for some 13 million cubic meters. licences for some 13 million cubic meters. licences for some 13 million cubic meters. licences for some 13 million cubic meters.

�� Equivalent to less than 5mm rainfall across the Equivalent to less than 5mm rainfall across the whole arable acerage.whole arable acerage.

�� But the abstraction occurs in the summer time at But the abstraction occurs in the summer time at a time of peak water stress and can cause a time of peak water stress and can cause localised issues.localised issues.

BAWAGBAWAG

�� Very active lobbying organisation on abstraction Very active lobbying organisation on abstraction issuesissues

�� Members are encouraged to enter into the Members are encouraged to enter into the abstraction debateabstraction debateabstraction debateabstraction debate

�� Voluntary membership costing £4/1000 cubic Voluntary membership costing £4/1000 cubic meters of abstraction over 14 years.meters of abstraction over 14 years.

�� 100% membership in all water stressed 100% membership in all water stressed catchmentscatchments

BAWAGBAWAG

�� Represents the abstraction interests of membersRepresents the abstraction interests of members

�� Acts as a forum for discussion of sustainable Acts as a forum for discussion of sustainable agricultural water managementagricultural water management

�� Encourages members to have greater involvement in Encourages members to have greater involvement in water policywater policywater policywater policy

�� To strive for wise and sustainable use of water To strive for wise and sustainable use of water resourcesresources

�� Act as a focal point for all local discussions with Act as a focal point for all local discussions with Environment Agency on water resourcesEnvironment Agency on water resources

�� Responded to all Government consultations in the last Responded to all Government consultations in the last 12 years on water resources12 years on water resources

BAWAGBAWAG

�� Government seeks BAWAG views on water resources Government seeks BAWAG views on water resources and other Environmental issuesand other Environmental issues

�� Two way communication!Two way communication!

�� BAWAG are the only abstractor group to give evidence BAWAG are the only abstractor group to give evidence �� BAWAG are the only abstractor group to give evidence BAWAG are the only abstractor group to give evidence to EFRA committee on Climate Change, Water to EFRA committee on Climate Change, Water Resources & FloodingResources & Flooding

�� BAWAG Members had no irrigation restrictions in BAWAG Members had no irrigation restrictions in 2009 due to intense lobbying of Environment Agency 2009 due to intense lobbying of Environment Agency and Aquifer Recharge in the previous winterand Aquifer Recharge in the previous winter

BAWAG 2009 roundupBAWAG 2009 roundup

�� Response to Cave ReportResponse to Cave Report-- consulted on freeing up consulted on freeing up

licencing systemlicencing system

�� Proposals to time limit perpetual licencesProposals to time limit perpetual licences-- on goingon going

�� Environmental Permitting consultationEnvironmental Permitting consultation-- discharges, discharges, �� Environmental Permitting consultationEnvironmental Permitting consultation-- discharges, discharges,

groundwater authorisations etcgroundwater authorisations etc

�� Consultation on EIUCConsultation on EIUC-- paymentspayments

�� Consultation on RBMPConsultation on RBMP

�� Flood & Water Management BillFlood & Water Management Bill--on goingon going

�� Very dry summer but aquifers held up wellVery dry summer but aquifers held up well

Habitat DirectiveHabitat Directive

�� Review of Consents is almost completedReview of Consents is almost completed

�� Coston Fen. One farmer (time limited licence) Coston Fen. One farmer (time limited licence) vs Anglian Water.vs Anglian Water.

�� Buxton Heath. Two licences affectedBuxton Heath. Two licences affected�� Buxton Heath. Two licences affectedBuxton Heath. Two licences affected

�� Smallburgh Fen. 1 farmer affectedSmallburgh Fen. 1 farmer affected

�� Hickling Broad. Part of 1 licence affectedHickling Broad. Part of 1 licence affected

�� Catfield FenCatfield Fen-- 2 licences held up for long term 2 licences held up for long term renewalrenewal

Habitat DirectiveHabitat Directive

�� Compensation for Environmental Damage for Compensation for Environmental Damage for NonNon--time limited licence holders.time limited licence holders.

�� Funded by EIUC in annual abstraction invoice Funded by EIUC in annual abstraction invoice �� Funded by EIUC in annual abstraction invoice Funded by EIUC in annual abstraction invoice for all abstractorsfor all abstractors

Water Framework DirectiveWater Framework Directive

�� CAMS (Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy)CAMS (Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy)

�� Country divided up into 129 CAMSCountry divided up into 129 CAMS

�� North Norfolk RiversNorth Norfolk Rivers-- Ross HaddowRoss Haddow

�� Broadland CAMSBroadland CAMS-- Andrew AlstonAndrew AlstonBroadland CAMSBroadland CAMS-- Andrew AlstonAndrew Alston

�� -- Peter WhatlingPeter Whatling

�� Process provides for an open, consistent and structured Process provides for an open, consistent and structured approach to water resource managementapproach to water resource management

�� Six year cycleSix year cycle

�� Farmers may be excluded in the next round of CAMSFarmers may be excluded in the next round of CAMS

CAMSCAMS

�� Catchments are described asCatchments are described as

�� Water AvailableWater Available

�� No Water AvailableNo Water Available

�� Over LicencedOver Licenced�� Over LicencedOver Licenced

�� Over AbstractedOver Abstracted

�� Abstractors have the opportunity to be consultedAbstractors have the opportunity to be consulted

�� Broadland CAMSBroadland CAMS-- 80% of respondents were farmers80% of respondents were farmers

CAMSCAMS

�� Over Abstracted catchmentsOver Abstracted catchments

�� StiffkeyStiffkey

�� Spixworth BeckSpixworth Beck

�� DoveDove

�� TasTas�� TasTas

�� Over licenced catchments where Environment Agency Over licenced catchments where Environment Agency are actively taking licences backare actively taking licences back

�� WensumWensum-- 25% reduction25% reduction-- now a RoC issue with 25% now a RoC issue with 25% off all licencesoff all licences

Response to CAMSResponse to CAMS

�� BAWAG responded on behalf of members plus many farmersBAWAG responded on behalf of members plus many farmers�� Stiffkey Farmers for a Sustainable Chalk RiverStiffkey Farmers for a Sustainable Chalk River�� Marc SpillerMarc Spiller-- German studentGerman student�� £22 million CSF funding came out of this group£22 million CSF funding came out of this group

�� Spixworth Beck AbstractorsSpixworth Beck Abstractors�� William CouletWilliam Coulet-- Dutch StudentDutch Student-- currently applying to undertake a Phd at currently applying to undertake a Phd at

UEAUEA-- so we may see him again.so we may see him again.

�� Other issues identified:Other issues identified:�� Diffuse pollution from the publicDiffuse pollution from the public--cars etccars etc�� Aquifer rechargeAquifer recharge�� Rackheath Eco townRackheath Eco town

Future Drivers to Water EfficiencyFuture Drivers to Water Efficiency

�� Tesco, M&S, Walkers Crisps etc have started to specify Tesco, M&S, Walkers Crisps etc have started to specify carbon footprints for their productscarbon footprints for their products-- they are also they are also looking to set targets for water.looking to set targets for water.

�� Cross complianceCross compliance-- don’t pump outside your licence don’t pump outside your licence parameters. £20,000 fine from EA plus 5% of SFPparameters. £20,000 fine from EA plus 5% of SFPparameters. £20,000 fine from EA plus 5% of SFPparameters. £20,000 fine from EA plus 5% of SFP

�� As we move towards 2015, WFD issues will become As we move towards 2015, WFD issues will become bigger as we fail to hit water quality targetsbigger as we fail to hit water quality targets

�� Farmers need to respondFarmers need to respond-- Campaign For the Farmed Campaign For the Farmed Environment is dipping our toe in the water. RBMP Environment is dipping our toe in the water. RBMP have set out exactly what each catchments issues are. have set out exactly what each catchments issues are. There will be different solutions to different problems.There will be different solutions to different problems.

Grants for farmersGrants for farmers

�� EEDA/LEADER grants are available. Modulated EEDA/LEADER grants are available. Modulated money, match funded by Government. EEDA have a money, match funded by Government. EEDA have a 2020 vision of a 50% increase in irrigatable land plus 2020 vision of a 50% increase in irrigatable land plus reduced fertilizer. Increase in fruit & vegetable reduced fertilizer. Increase in fruit & vegetable consumption leads to a healthier population.consumption leads to a healthier population.

Reservoirs funded by EEDA. Including solutions to Reservoirs funded by EEDA. Including solutions to �� Reservoirs funded by EEDA. Including solutions to Reservoirs funded by EEDA. Including solutions to problems from RoC. problems from RoC.

�� LEADER is bottom up ideas. AWA Chairman of LEADER is bottom up ideas. AWA Chairman of Norfolk Coast & Broads. Grants available for water Norfolk Coast & Broads. Grants available for water efficiency including underground main, pumps, IT efficiency including underground main, pumps, IT control, conversion from inefficient systems to efficient control, conversion from inefficient systems to efficient systems. (Not reels, booms or overground pipes)systems. (Not reels, booms or overground pipes)

Landskills EastLandskills East

�� Water qualityWater quality

�� It is hoped to put on courses for RBMP for each It is hoped to put on courses for RBMP for each catchment. This will enable farmers to look at their catchment. This will enable farmers to look at their ELS agreement in a new light when they get renewed. ELS agreement in a new light when they get renewed.

�� Water EfficiencyWater Efficiency

�� An application is going in to look at the worse 50 An application is going in to look at the worse 50 irrigation systems, advise farmers on what change is irrigation systems, advise farmers on what change is needed and point him in direction of grantsneeded and point him in direction of grants

�� LEADER grantsLEADER grants

�� EEDA grantsEEDA grants

Current Water ProjectsCurrent Water Projects

�� Church Farm Gimingham Ltd. 59,000 cubic meter new borehole in Water Church Farm Gimingham Ltd. 59,000 cubic meter new borehole in Water Available catchment. LEADER Grant to put in pumps, IT control, Available catchment. LEADER Grant to put in pumps, IT control, underground main. Hopefully some counderground main. Hopefully some co--operation/water sales with neighboursoperation/water sales with neighbours

�� WJ Bracey Ltd. Conversion from well points to borehole. LEADER grant.WJ Bracey Ltd. Conversion from well points to borehole. LEADER grant.�� Wharton Farms. Conversion of part frost protection licence to 45,454 cubic Wharton Farms. Conversion of part frost protection licence to 45,454 cubic

meter reservoir. EEDA grantmeter reservoir. EEDA grant�� M Ditch. Conversion of seepage reservoir & well points to borehole. M Ditch. Conversion of seepage reservoir & well points to borehole. �� M Ditch. Conversion of seepage reservoir & well points to borehole. M Ditch. Conversion of seepage reservoir & well points to borehole.

LEADER grantLEADER grant�� 3 Review of Consent issues. 3 reservoirs in planning stage3 Review of Consent issues. 3 reservoirs in planning stage�� 2 reservoirs in planning stage to harvest water from housing developments2 reservoirs in planning stage to harvest water from housing developments�� 3 abstraction licences for sale/lease. Bure catchment3 abstraction licences for sale/lease. Bure catchment�� Trading licence across a riverTrading licence across a river�� Numerous licences renewals and licence changesNumerous licences renewals and licence changes

Future of WAG’sFuture of WAG’s

�� BAWAG, ESWAG & Lark are beginning to discuss issues BAWAG, ESWAG & Lark are beginning to discuss issues jointly. Little common groundjointly. Little common ground

�� Lark are in a similar position to BAWAG with grants. Might Lark are in a similar position to BAWAG with grants. Might appoint CEO.appoint CEO.

�� Once WAG’s have a CEO, its easier to work together as there Once WAG’s have a CEO, its easier to work together as there are fewer people in chain.are fewer people in chain.Once WAG’s have a CEO, its easier to work together as there Once WAG’s have a CEO, its easier to work together as there are fewer people in chain.are fewer people in chain.

�� WAG’s need to work together on water footprints, water WAG’s need to work together on water footprints, water efficiency and water audits, energy audits etcefficiency and water audits, energy audits etc

�� WAG’s need to promote themselves to Natural England, WAG’s need to promote themselves to Natural England, Environment Agency, Defra, Grant bodies, Food Processing Environment Agency, Defra, Grant bodies, Food Processing factories and large International brands, Eg Pepsi.factories and large International brands, Eg Pepsi.

Funding future projectsFunding future projects

�� Large joint irrigation projects are very expensiveLarge joint irrigation projects are very expensive

�� Outside funding could be usefulOutside funding could be useful

�� Consider Enterprise Investment SchemeConsider Enterprise Investment Scheme

Agricultural Water Management Agricultural Water Management

Andrew AlstonAndrew Alston

White House FarmWhite House Farm

MarshamMarsham

NorfolkNorfolk

NR10 5PJNR10 5PJ

01263 73339501263 733395

www.awmcl.comwww.awmcl.com

www.norfolkfarm.co.ukwww.norfolkfarm.co.uk

www.bawag.co.ukwww.bawag.co.uk