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<p>The Environment Agency already has a duty to consider the costs and benefits of
its actions. The Environment Agency applies this duty in abstraction licence and regulatory
decisions. There is recognition of the impact a change in abstraction licence conditions
can have on the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Where restrictions and licence
changes are absolutely necessary the Environment Agency looks to work directly with
licence holders to implement changes on a voluntary basis first. When managing droughts,
the Environment Agency also looks to introduce partial restrictions (e.g. abstraction
every other day, or night time only) and then total bans on water abstraction as a
last resort. During the drought of 2022, the Environment Agency avoided the need for
total irrigation bans by using this approach. However, the cost-benefit duty does
not override the need for the Environment Agency to undertake its wider duties and
functions to meet statutory environmental objectives.</p>
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