Backing farmers in the face of extreme weather
From lower crop yields to increasing pressure on water supplies, the effects of extreme weather are being felt across UK agriculture. NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins outlines why action is needed now to safeguard the nation's food security.
It is clear to see that the weather patterns in the UK are changing, and farmers and growers are on the frontline of that change every day.
The reality of drought on farm
While we may once have been able to rely on rainfall throughout the year, that is no longer the case.
Prolonged dry weather and drought are already reducing crop yields and quality, weakening grass growth and putting pressure on winter livestock feed stocks.
Securing water for food production
Farmers are also facing tighter restrictions on irrigation as river, groundwater and farm reservoirs come under increasing pressure.
El Niño adds another layer of uncertainty. While the effects on the UK cannot be predicted with certainty, it can increase the likelihood of wetter, windier and milder starts to the winter and worryingly, next summer might challenge the records set by the current drought.
Measures that help farmers and growers to continue producing the nation's food amidst changing and more extreme weather patterns has never been more important.
A shared responsibility for food production
Farmers’ ambition to be a trusted source of plentiful, safe food must therefore be matched by clear, long-term support from government and its agencies together with supply chains to build resilience into our farms and food production, so shoppers do not have to witness the effects of extreme weather on the shop shelves.
