As major wildfires and outdoor blazes continue to scorch the UK, the NFU is warning they represent a stark reminder of the growing risks extreme weather poses to food production, the rural environment and the resilience of farm businesses across the country.
Months of hot dry weather has left the ground like a tinderbox with large swathes of the country vulnerable to fire.
The same story has been seen across Europe with the heatwaves causing devastating fires to break out in countries such as France, Spain and Greece.
Far-reaching consequences
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “Unfortunately, as we contend with more extreme weather, British farmers are becoming all too familiar with the serious threat wildfires pose to their farms and the surrounding countryside.
“A stray match or single spark and months of hard work can be wiped out in just minutes; crops destroyed and harvest ruined, vital machinery and infrastructure damaged and livestock put at serious risk. Beyond the immediate losses, there could be long-term consequences for soil health, grassland productivity and confidence of farm businesses already facing significant pressures.
“We need a greater focus on wildfire response and prevention. That must include far better coordination between government, its agencies and farmers, and improved vegetation and land management in high-risk areas.
“Careful countryside management in moorland areas, for example, can reduce the amount of vegetation that can fuel a fire, often called ‘fuel load’. Grazing reduces this fuel load and creates living firebreaks, helping firefighters contain a fire more safely.
“We need a greater focus on wildfire response and prevention. That must include far better coordination between government, its agencies and farmers, and improved vegetation and land management in high-risk areas.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins
Call for action
"The NFU is therefore asking retailers to remove disposable BBQs from sale during periods of extreme fire risk and local authorities to issue Public Space Protection Orders that prohibit lighting barbeques, building or lighting campfires and camping stoves.
“We are also urging anyone who visits the countryside to act responsibly, follow local guidance and avoid any activity that could start a fire. Please follow the Countryside Code as even the smallest actions can make a significant difference in protecting livelihoods and the landscapes that underpin producing the nation’s food.”
