The Environment Agency says irrigation restrictions on farmers are increasing, with 1,534 now in place in East Anglia. Tony Grayling, strategic drought lead at the Environment Agency and chairman of the National Drought Group, said: "Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall. "Many farmers have completed the earliest harvest on record, with poor yields in key crops reported in some areas of the country. "To help farmers and growers now, we need to see a risk register for vulnerable businesses and a more responsive abstraction licensing system. Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought as conditions worsen - with little prospect of any immediate respite.