as long as all abstraction licences have a sustainable basis there is then the potential for greater trading and economic benefit from more efficient use there is also work in hand by the environment agency which is taking a more strategic approach to the longterm water demands of the agriculture sector and energy generation so as to drive a more integrated approach to resource management across the waterfoodenergy nexus the use of scenario planning and the development of a compelling case for change will ensure that legislative and regulatory changes are made in good lime to allow a transition to a more flexible and dynamic regime there is a significant future risk to the dutch economy if water is not well managed during drought periods and the impacts of salinity are not addressed in a timely manner agriculture is only one area that would benefit from an environment where water has a value and there is flexibility to allow users to respond according to their needs