Growers work with Morrisons to Take Water Resilience Debate to the House of Lords

Industry-led initiative calls for urgent policy action to protect UK food production as drought pressures intensify

Representatives from across the UK fresh produce sector will take their call for urgent water policy reform to the House of Lords on 17 November, hosted by former NFU President Minette Batters, as the industry seeks greater political action to safeguard domestic food production from growing water and drought challenges.

The event follows a year-long collaboration between leading growers, Harper Adams University's School of Sustainable Food & Farming (SSFF) and Morrisons, bringing together producers, supply chain partners and policymakers to develop practical recommendations that strengthen water resilience whilst supporting UK food security.

The project comes at a critical time. More than two-thirds of England has recently been declared officially in drought following record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures, with farmers already reporting impacts on crop production, water availability and long-term planning.

Industry representatives say the UK's current approach to water policy must evolve to recognise the strategic importance of domestic food production and ensure growers have the confidence to invest in long-term resilience measures.

The project has identified four key policy priorities:

1. Put food production and food security at the heart of water policy

Water policy must explicitly recognise the importance of protecting domestic food production and creating a resilient food system. Alongside this, industry is calling for regulatory reform that provides greater certainty and consistency for long-term investment.

2. Make water storage a national priority

Agricultural water storage should be recognised as strategic infrastructure, with planning and funding mechanisms that enable growers to capture water when it is abundant and use it when it is needed most.

3. Address water quality and water availability together

Water quality and water quantity are intrinsically linked and should be considered through a more integrated approach to catchment management and water policy.

4. Invest in future-focused research and evidence

Government and industry should strengthen investment in research, innovation and knowledge exchange to support climate adaptation and sustainable food production.

Alex Hardie, Business Development Manager, SSFF, said:

"The conversations we've had with growers across the UK have been remarkably consistent. Water is no longer simply an environmental issue. It is a food security issue, an economic issue and an investment issue.

"Our industry wants to be part of the solution, but growers need the confidence that policy and regulation will support long-term investment in resilience. The recommendations emerging from this project provide a practical framework for achieving that.

"As drought becomes an increasingly frequent challenge, we have a real opportunity to put food production at the centre of water policy and create a more resilient future for UK agriculture."

Alice Liddle, Agriculture Manager, Morrisons said: 

"Water resilience is becoming one of the defining challenges facing British agriculture and the long-term security of our food supply. Through this project, we've brought together growers, industry experts and policymakers to identify practical solutions that can support both environmental outcomes and sustainable food production.

"What has been particularly encouraging is the strong consensus emerging from across the sector. There is widespread recognition that food production and food security must be given greater prominence within water policy, alongside the regulatory certainty needed to unlock investment in resilience.

"Retailers, growers and government all have a role to play. By working together, we have a real opportunity to build a more resilient and productive food system for the future."

Jon Hammond, Director, Hammond Produce said:

"You cannot talk about food security without talking about water security. Every fruit and vegetable grower understands the importance of managing water responsibly, but the reality is that the challenges are becoming greater and more frequent.

"If we want to maintain a strong domestic food sector, we need policies that support investment in water storage, provide regulatory certainty and recognise food production as a national priority. The findings so far from this project show there is broad agreement across the sector on the need for action."

The recommendations have been informed through stakeholder interviews, industry workshops and an extensive review of existing evidence, bringing together perspectives from growers, retailers and water experts.

The House of Lords event on 17 November will provide an opportunity to present the findings to parliamentarians and key stakeholders, highlighting the actions needed to ensure the UK's water policy framework supports both environmental outcomes and food production resilience.

With recent Environment Agency assessments warning of significant ongoing pressures on water resources and agriculture, the project partners believe there has never been a more important time to address the issue.