Talks ongoing to avoid irrigation abstraction fee hike

Innes Thomson, Chief Executive, ADAWater level management authorities across the country are continuing to raise significant concerns at the threat of licence fee hikes that could end up hitting the farmer’s pocket, following recent changes to water abstraction regulations.
Previously and for many years, Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) have transferred water from main rivers to local drains for the benefit of farmers, who then abstract the water for irrigation. There are also environmental