Many fruit and vegetable growers rely on abstraction to irrigate crops, which is the licensed removal of water from rivers, streams or underground aquifers. But with drought risk intensifying and river health declining, the UK’s abstraction system is under strain, and is being overhauled to restore sustainable water flows and protect the environment.
Through the Water Roadmap’s Collective Action Project (CAP) in Medway and in collaboration with the South East Rivers Trust (SERT), we brought farmers and food businesses together to navigate the reform and secure sustainable water for food production.
Problem
Solution
Impact
Working with WRAP through the Collective Action Project has been invaluable in helping growers understand the urgency of abstraction reform and the importance of working more collectively. By creating spaces for open dialogue and shared learning, we have worked with key stakeholders to strengthen relationships between farmers, regulators and the wider supply chain. This collaboration is already delivering clearer communication, better planning and greater confidence in the sector, although there is still plenty to do. With continued support, we can build even stronger collective action to protect water resources, the environment, food security and the resilience of communities.
Samantha Hughes, South East Rivers Trust
Problem
Farmers in South East England face increasing pressure from water scarcity, driven by climate change, population growth and drought risk. At the same time, the UK’s abstraction licensing system is undergoing major reform to address unsustainable abstraction and better balance environmental and agricultural water needs.
Although the horticulture sector holds the majority of abstraction licences, it receives only a small share of abstracted water, leaving it highly vulnerable to regulatory changes. Many growers were unaware or unprepared for the coming reforms, and there was no coordinated voice to represent their needs in regional water planning. Without early engagement, farmers risked losing access to sufficient water during droughts, threatening their viability and causing major disruption to fresh produce supply chains.
Solution
Through the Collective Action Project and in partnership with the National Farmers’ Union, Water Resources South East, SERT and supply chain businesses, farmers and stakeholders were brought together through a coordinated programme of workshops, newsletters and planning exercises. These sessions informed growers about the upcoming abstraction reforms, explained potential risks and opportunities, and provided practical pathways for adapting to new licensing conditions.
A key outcome was the formation and promotion of Water Abstraction Groups (WAGs), collaborative groups designed to give growers a stronger, unified voice in regional water planning and abstraction negotiations. Local Resource Option (LRO) exercises, which support groups of farmers in identifying practical, local solutions to improve their long-term water resilience, further strengthened coordination, helping farmers align on shared challenges and solutions. Involving retailers and suppliers ensured full supply-chain awareness and supported shared planning for long‑term resilience.
Impact
Economic
For businesses across the food supply chain, including major retailers and fresh produce suppliers, the solutions have strengthened resilience by helping growers anticipate and adapt that could otherwise disrupt production. Having a better understanding of regulatory changes has enabling more informed decision‑making on storage, efficiency investments and drought planning, reducing the risk of crop failures and supply shortages.
The approach also supports business ESG commitments by promoting sustainable water use and reducing environmental harm. Ultimately, coordinated action is enhancing long‑term food security and shields supply chains from bottom‑up disruption linked to water scarcity.
Environmental
Improved awareness of the drivers behind abstraction reform, combined with coordinated working through WAGs and LROs, lays the groundwork for reducing unsustainable abstraction and protecting water bodies under stress. Farmers are more prepared to support the transition to practices that balance healthy river systems with agricultural water use, prevent catchment deterioration and protect water‑dependent habitats in a region that is already vulnerable to drought.
Social
The WAGs are strengthening social networks among farmers, enabling knowledge sharing on drought mitigation, water storage, irrigation practices and risk management – leaving farmers reporting a greater confidence in navigating the coming regulatory changes.
The collective approach has improved engagement with regulators, giving farmers better representation in planning and drought‑response processes as the legislation evolves.
These strengthened relationships contribute to reduced conflict between sectors and support more resilient local food production. As one grower noted, “our voice is stronger when growers work together rather than alone,” reflecting the collective agency that has emerged through the project.