Sir, – What does it say about our priorities in this country when golf clubs are exempt from the hosepipe ban while vegetable growers, whether in back gardens or on allotments, are not?People grow vegetables for many good reasons – to reduce their carbon footprint, to live more sustainably, to be assured of eating produce free from chemical intervention, for the mental and physical benefits of engaging with nature. Small-scale vegetable growers generally do not use sprinklers or spray randomly – they apply water in a targeted way to where it is needed to keep this food source thriving. In many cases, applying it via a watering can will probably use as much water but cause excessive hardship to the growers, especially if they are elderly or trying to fit it into a busy work/family schedule.Clean, drinkable water is essential to keep us alive. So too is food – but we don’t march into a supermarket and demand it for free. Water rates that give households a reasonable allowance and penalise waste could help to alleviate the problem of drought, which is only going to get worse with climate change in the years to come. What political party will have the courage to grasp that nettle? – Yours, etc,SALLY SWEENEY,Tramore,Co Waterford.