The 12 months up to January was the eighth-driest year in the UK since records began and unless there is substantial, above-average rainfall in the coming weeks, growers will almost certainly face water restrictions this summer.
"Some growers are facing a tough decision on their cropping plans this year,"says Mark Harvett, senior adviser at the Environment Agency. "It's a big gamble and we recognise that fact.
In the short term, the Environment Agency has put forward a number of measures outlined in its Regulatory Position statement. "For example, we are tying to look at ways to relax licensing conditions,"says Mr Harvett.
