The National Drought Group met this week with the current water shortfall situation across England now defined as a "nationally significant incident".

Five areas are officially in drought status, and six more - including East Anglia - are experiencing "prolonged dry weather" following the driest six months to July since 1976, with many river flows and reservoir levels in Norfolk and Suffolk still low despite recent rainfall.

As the government develops the next round of its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the National Farmers' Union (NFU) is urging Defra to ensure the payment scheme supports farmers’ resilience in the face of a changing climate.

The union says drought-reduced winter forage stocks are........

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