In the worst case, this could lead to emergency measures such as supplies being limited to public standpipes in the street being implemented, as was the case during the 1976 drought.

BBC: Hosepipe ban to be imposed in drought-hit parts of UK

That such a case is being pursued, though, highlights a fundamental problem with the laws in this area, she said.

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This is particularly the case for European exporters, such as Germany, which are being hurt by the rising competitiveness of Japanese exporters due to the lower yen.

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