THE government has pledged to give farmers greater flexibility over water supplies following today’s drought summit.

Farm bosses’ organisation the National Farmers Union has been warning of tinderbox conditions that have halted grass growth and depleted yields, calling for relief from the “crippling impact” of this summer’s heatwave.

The Environment Agency announced that farmers will be allowed more flexibility in the rules on taking water out of the environment, making it easier to trade water allowances between farmers to maximise supplies and help them to make the most of extra water in rivers after heavy rain.