Wiltshire Council backs plan to protect farmers from drought

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:01 · Archive

Wiltshire Council has backed proposals to create a rural resilience partnership and drought action plan after councillors warned that extreme weather is threatening crops, livestock and the county's food security. The motion passed at full council on 20 October by 83 votes to four, with two abstentions.

Councillor Nabil Najjar, who moved the motion, said conditions had become significantly tougher for farmers since the council last pledged support two years ago. 'Fields and crops have been on fire due to drought. We've had water shortages. We've had cost pressures. We've had uncertainty about the future,' he said. 'Recent dry conditions and increasingly unpredictable weather have caused uncertainty and fear for farmers. They've threatened future food security.'

The council will form a Wiltshire Rural Resilience and Food Security Partnership, bringing together farmers, the National Farmers' Union, landowners, rural businesses, water companies, environmental bodies and other organisations. Cabinet has been asked to produce a Wiltshire Rural Drought Resilience Action Plan within six months, examining risks to farming, food production, jobs, water resources and wildfire preparedness.

Planning policies are due to be reviewed to determine whether they adequately support measures such as farm water storage, rainwater harvesting, irrigation, renewable energy and diversification. Councillor Najjar said the council should make it 'easier, not harder' for farmers to invest in the infrastructure they will need to adapt to changing conditions.

He added that the action was 'not about choosing between farmers and the environment'.

How it is being reported

• Action to be taken after farmers lose 'entire crops' in heatwaveWiltshire Council has thrown its weight behind a major plan to protect farmers from drought.Swindon Advertiser · 24 Oct, 05:00
• Action to be taken after farmers lose 'entire crops' in heatwaveWiltshire Council has thrown its weight behind a major plan to protect farmers from drought.Gazette & Herald · 24 Oct, 05:00
• Action to be taken after farmers lose 'entire crops' in heatwaveWiltshire Council has thrown its weight behind a major plan to protect farmers from drought.Wiltshire Times · 24 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire Council · Nabil Najjar · National Farmers' Union · Wiltshire

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