Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton has warned that fruit and vegetable growers in the Borders will face a tough time in the coming days, as a ban is set to be imposed on water abstraction from the River Tweed by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
Ms Hamilton has raised concerns that this move, although ultimately necessary for the protection of the River Tweed’s fish stocks and wider eco-system, could lead to growers losing crops that rely on water from the tweed for irrigation.
The ban comes after months of low rainfall and high temperatures, and underlines the severity of the conditions that the East of Scotland has faced this summer.
In the Tweed catchment in the Borders, Lyne Station recorded its fourth lowest flow in 53 years, only 2003 was lower. Mouthbridge at Blackadder Water has dropped to its lowest flow since records began in 1974.
SEPA have underlined the fact that this was not a decision they took lightly. However, concerns have been raised by farmers and industry representatives over a lack of consultation regarding the ban
Ms Hamilton highlighted concerns shared by NFUS on Friday regarding the potential impact of the ban on water abstraction for growers, but added that there is no easy solution given the clear need to protect our rivers.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“I completely understand the need to take urgent action to protect the River Tweed in light of the historically low rainfall and high temperatures we have been experiencing.
“SEPA’s decision won’t have been taken lightly but it is understandably causing significant concern among the sector and vegetable growers in particular.
“Current weather conditions are causing considerable challenges, but this decision which ultimately rests with the SNP-Green Government. They need to ensure they are urgently engaging with those affected as this is putting many livelihoods at risk in our agricultural sector.
“Farmers, growers and producers in the Borders went above and beyond during the pandemic and this is the last thing they needed as they aim to recover.
“There needs to be guarantees that this will not adversely impact food resilience and production as there are significant concerns it could well do so.
“I will be continuing to engage with SEPA as I have already done and look to Ministers to hopefully lift this suspension as quickly as possible. In the meantime, support must be available to those who are affected by the suspension”
