Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 18149

Farms: Water Abstraction

Tabled: 13 July 2026

Answered: 16 July 2026

Question

James Wild

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the duration of abstraction licences for farms.

Answer

Emma Hardy

Time limits are a legislative requirement for abstraction licences. The Environment Agency (EA) issues licences with time limits from 6 to 18 years in line with its approach to managing water abstraction. Applicants can apply for a long duration licence f...

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