Farmers have been told they must stop spraying crops using water from ditches and rivers in southern parts of the country.

Parts of Brabant brought in the ban on Wednesday, a week after the Limburg water board of Peel en Maasvallei ordered a sprinkler stop. Gelderlands’ water officials are keeping a close eye on the situation, Nos television said.

Officials are concerned about damage to fish and amphibian wildlife habitats because of the long spell of dry weather and dwindling water levels. Farmers can continue to water crops using ground water supplies.