The Water for Food Group, which is formed by organisations representing the interests of farmers, growers, processors and manufacturers, has released a statement saying that government must recognise that water is a vital ingredient of our food and is essential to the economic performance of the agri-food sector.
It says increasing water demands form other sectors, and a greater risk of water scarcity caused by droughts and climate change, already threaten the industry’s ability to sustain and increase efficient, high quality food production at affordable prices.
Growers of high value fruit and vegetables are particularly reliant on access to secure supplies of water.
The Water for Food Group wants water for food production to be designated as an ‘essential water need’, alongside water for people and for energy, and prioritised accordingly by the Government – particularly in its proposals to reform water abstraction.
Source: FDF