Farmers already forced to eat and drink a vital supply of irrigation water are facing further restrictions that could come after a drought is officially declared in eastern England.
The Environment Agency has confirmed some areas are in a dry state after months without significant rainfall, including East Anglia's driest July on record.
Farmers in some basins have been asked to voluntarily reduce river and groundwater withdrawals - and some have been ordered to stop in order to protect the environment.
So when reservoirs dry up and permit withdrawals reach their limit, they are forced to choose which crops get the required amount of water from the depleted supply.
They therefore anticipate a "significant" shortage of crops such as potatoes, carrots and onions, while sugar beet and maize also show signs of heat stress.
While the updated status won't automatically trigger the new restrictions, it does mean "The Environment Agency and water utilities will step up action to manage impacts".
Farmers wonder why the drought wasn't declared sooner - and why no household hose ban was put in place locally as food crops wilt in arid fields.
Anglian Water said that despite the drought declaration, it still does not need a sprinkler ban this summer due to investments in infrastructure and resilience.
Jamie Lockhart, chief executive officer of Frederick Hiam, a Brandon-based farm and agricultural products company, and president of the Norfolk division of the National Farmers Union (NFU).
Read more: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/how-will-drought-declaration-affect-east-anglia-farmers-9201930
