Growers unite behind water security recommendations ahead of Westminster launch

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Urgent action is needed to strengthen agricultural water resilience, leading fresh produce growers have warned - ahead of a major House of Lords event next month. 

The event, on November 17, will be hosted by former NFU President Minette Batters, and will bring together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of domestic food production. 

Among those supporting the initiative are Jon Hammond, Director of Hammond Produce, and Andrew Blenkiron, Managing Director of Elveden Farms, both of whom believe water security must become a much higher priority within national policy discussions. 

Jon Hammond said: “Food security depends on water security. Growers are ready to invest in the future, but that requires a clear and consistent framework that recognises domestic food production as a national priority. The decisions we make now will shape the resilience of British fruit and vegetable production for decades to come. If we're serious about increasing UK food security, we need long-term policies that give businesses the confidence to invest, provide regulatory certainty and support practical resilience measures. Growers want to be part of the solution, but they need confidence that the policy environment will support those investments.” 

Andrew Blenkiron added: “Many growers have already invested heavily in improving efficiency and building resilience, but adapting to future water challenges requires long-term confidence. Water storage, innovation and better use of technology all have a role to play, but businesses need the certainty to make those investments. We're seeing increasing pressure from climate volatility alongside changing regulatory requirements. The sector has shown it can innovate and adapt, but future resilience depends on creating the right conditions for investment and long-term planning.” 

The event in the Houses of Parliament draws upon a year-long collaboration between Morrisons, the School of Sustainable Food and Farming (SSFF) at Harper Adams University and leading fresh produce businesses from across the UK. The project has explored the growing risks posed by water insecurity and developed practical recommendations to support both environmental outcomes and long-term food security. 

It comes after one of the most challenging summers on record for many growers, with more than two-thirds of England officially declared in drought and concerns increasing about the long-term availability of water for food production. 

Drawing on perspectives from growers, retailers, researchers and policymakers, the project has identified four key priorities for future action: 

• Place food security at the heart of water policy. 

• Make water storage a national priority. 

• Address water quality and water availability together. 

• Invest in future-focused research and evidence. 

These recommendations will be formally presented and discussed at the House of Lords event hosted by Minette Batters, where industry representatives will highlight the importance of water resilience to the future of UK fruit and vegetable production. 

Alex Hardie, Business Development Manager at the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, said: “The message we've heard from growers across the country has been remarkably consistent. Water is no longer simply an environmental issue; it is a food security issue, an economic issue and an investment issue. If we want a resilient domestic supply of fresh produce in the decades ahead, we need policies that give businesses the confidence to invest today.” 

Jim Monaghan, Professor of Crop Science at Harper Adams University, is among the experts speaking at the event. 

He said: “The UK has world-class fresh produce growers, but our evidence base has not kept pace with the challenges that climate change is creating. Much of the guidance we rely on today was developed under very different climatic conditions. If we want to make better decisions about future water resilience, we need to invest in the research and data that will underpin the next generation of food production.” 

Simon Thelwell, Strategic Director, SSFF, said: "This research further reinforces the need to regard food-system resilience as part of the UK's wider critical national resilience. The ability to produce food ultimately depends on natural assets such as soils and water, which are among our most strategically important resources. Yet despite underpinning food security, economic resilience and environmental sustainability, they often remain undervalued in policy and long-term planning." 

Hugh Mowat, Morrisons Technical & Compliance Director, added: “Water security is inextricably linked to food security. Morrisons is proud to support this vital initiative through our partnership with Harper Adams University and some of our leading British growers. As we prepare for the House of Lords launch next month, it is crucial that we secure the long-term resilience and policy support our fresh produce sector needs to thrive.”