Defra to spend £16m on farm flood defences

As the UK government ramps up investment in flood protection, farmers are also facing the increased risk of drought this spring and summer.

A £16m boost for flood alleviation efforts, announced by the Environment Agency on 31 March, will help improve flood resilience for over 400,000ha of agricultural land and 91,000 homes and businesses.

This funding is part of a wider £91m total for internal drainage boards (IDB) aimed at bolstering farm and rural flood protection.

See also: Dismay at failings and unfairness in flood compensation scheme

However, as the UK grapples with unpredictable weather patterns, farmers now fear the opposite – a prolonged dry spell that could lead to drought conditions.

Edward Vipond, farm manager at Troston Farms in Suffolk, said he was “not concerned” yet about the current dry spell’s impact on his crops, noting that they came out of winter in good condition and spring crops have “emerged quite nicely”.

His sugar beet crops also have good moisture in the top inch of soil.

But he added: “Like many farmers in the area, we could really do with some rain by mid-April, but the forecast looks fairly settled.”

The Met Office says the first week of April will bring warm, sunny weather to most of the UK, with temperatures potentially reaching 21-22C by Thursday 3 April.

However, coastal areas will feel cooler due to a breeze and cold sea temperatures, while the rest of the country will remain dry.

IDBs, local public bodies responsible for managing water levels, have received significant support from the government to repair flood infrastructure, particularly following the winter storms of 2023-24.

The funding will also be used to modernise drainage assets and ensure they can withstand future climate challenges, a crucial step for preserving agricultural productivity.

“Flooding can devastate farmers and rural communities,” said floods minister Emma Hardy.

“This funding will ensure flood assets are more resilient and will protect thousands of hectares of farmland.”

NI wild fires

In Northern Ireland, the situation is compounded by malicious fire-setting.

Wildfires, triggered by dry conditions, have caused significant damage to the countryside, further stressing the agricultural sector.

Daera farming minister Andrew Muir has urged people to cease lighting fires, warning that such incidents put both the environment and local farms at risk.