Welsh farmers warn water supplies are running dry

Farms across Wales are facing an emerging water shortage crisis, with farmers reporting that supplies for livestock are “dangerously low” or have already run dry.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Cymru has written to the Welsh Government calling for an urgent statement and a co-ordinated response to the situation, which it says has developed following prolonged hot weather.

Victoria Bond, director of CLA Cymru, said the availability of water on farms was now “a real issue for many farms” and warned that “an emergency is developing that requires urgent attention”.

Writing to Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd MS, Ms Bond said the organisation had spoken to many members and farmers during the agricultural show season.

“This story is being relayed to us time and time again,” she said.

She gave the example of a CLA Cymru officer whose family farm relies on spring water.

“They have absolutely no access to water at all,” she said.

“This demonstrates that this is a serious and real issue.”

Ms Bond said farms with houses connected to mains water were generally less affected, but that most farms did not have mains access to meet the water needs of livestock.

“Those who rely on tanked water for field use are telling us that supplies are dangerously low, or that they have already run dry,” she said.

The CLA Cymru director also raised concerns about what could happen if the situation continued to worsen.

“Farmers are also telling us that they do not want a situation where desperate farmers are gaining illegal access to their land to gather water from streams and rivers on their land,” she said.

The warning comes despite water companies reporting that supplies across Wales remain adequate, at around 80 per cent of capacity.

But Ms Bond said the headline figure did not reflect the difficulties facing farmers trying to access water where it was needed.

“While overall, as reported by the water companies, supplies across the country remain adequate at around 80 per cent of capacity, getting practical access to this supply is a major challenge for farmers,” she said.

She warned that both people and livestock could be affected if the situation continued.

“There are both human and livestock issues at play,” she said.

“No one wants to see dead and seriously unwell animals across the fields of Wales and while the human impact must take primacy, the impact on animals must also be a major priority.”

Ms Bond has called on Mr Gruffydd to make an urgent statement on the situation and provide guidance for farmers who have run out of water.

“It would be very helpful to have a guidance note on who farmers can contact to access water if they have none,” she said.

“Every hour now counts. A coordinated response must be put in place without delay.”

The CLA Cymru said it was ready to work with the Welsh Government to pass information and guidance to farmers and help with the response.

The organisation represents more than 3,000 members across Wales and works on issues affecting agriculture and the rural economy.

The letter was sent to Mr Gruffydd on Thursday.

When approached by the Brecon & Radnor Express, the Welsh Government pointed to a statement earlier this week for farmers and growers facing prolonged dry weather.

Capital grants are available for measures including boreholes, water harvesting equipment and ventilation systems.

Temporary derogations are also available to farmers in the Sustainable Farming Scheme who are struggling to meet requirements because of the weather.

Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd said: “We recognise the pressures facing farmers and growers during prolonged dry weather conditions, including impacts on livestock, crops, and farm businesses.

“That’s why we want farmers to know about the support available, whether through our Capital Grants scheme, or the flexibility on offer under the Sustainable Farming Scheme.”

The Welsh Government also advised farmers with concerns about animal welfare to seek immediate advice from their vet and has published guidance on caring for farm animals and horses in extreme weather.

It also pointed to advice from Natural Resources Wales for farmers during prolonged dry weather.