Drought alarm set up for the whole of Flanders

Arable farmers and livestock farmers in Flanders have to deal with code orange because of the drought. This alarm phase has been set up by the so-called Flemish Drought Commission. The result is that agricultural entrepreneurs in large parts of Flanders are no longer allowed to irrigate.

The committee has advised the Flemish provinces to introduce a ban on the abstraction of surface water. Four provinces immediately followed this advice. For the first time this year, growers in East Flanders and Flemish Brabant have to deal with an irrigation ban. Existing bans have also been extended in the Antwerp and Limburg regions. The prohibition on abstracting water in the Iron Basin (West Flanders) remains in force.

Drying watercourses
The reason for the alarm, according to the drought committee, is that the groundwater supplies have not been able to recover. In addition, hardly any rain is forecast in the coming weeks. Several watercourses are already almost dry. Water levels are lower than ever in several places. There are exceptions to prohibitions, for example in places where the water level is not yet problematic.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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