Following the announcement of support for farmers and growers to manage the impacts of climate change, David Denny, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

“We welcome the government’s announcement of further support to help farmers and growers manage drought and build greater resilience for the future. It is important that this support also works for environmental horticulture.

“The reopening of the Water Management Grant, past rounds of which have provided vital access to investment in water resilience for growers, is a positive step, and we will be signposting it to our members, contingent on its continued inclusion of horticulture. Our HTA members are already investing in water resilience, with 52% having on-site reservoirs. However, another 24% would like to build one, with the main barriers being planning and access to investment finance.

“We have long called for clearer planning guidance for reservoirs and welcome the commitment to publish this in September. Crucially, it must also work for our sector and enable growers to invest in the water storage and recycling they need.

“As ever, the devil will be in the detail. Funding levels, eligibility, technical requirements, investment thresholds, and planning and abstraction arrangements will all determine whether these measures result in the construction of reservoirs on the ground.

“Our members need confidence that planning, investment support, and access to water will align to support UK plant and tree production and establishment. Building genuine water resilience for environmental horticulture will require a planning and regulatory system that enables growers to invest in the future resilience of their businesses, rather than having to respond once water is already scarce.”