NFU warns of potential food shortages due to ongoing drought in England and Wales
Quick Look
- The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned of potential food shortages in the UK if current drought conditions persist, citing "very, very poor" yields for wheat and oats, and livestock farmers using winter feed early.
- Drought has been declared across much of England and all of Wales, leading to hosepipe bans for over 20 million people.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned of potential food shortages due to ongoing drought conditions across large parts of England and Wales, which have severely impacted crop yields and livestock feed. Successive heatwaves have strained water supplies, leading to hosepipe bans for over 20 million people.
There could be a shortage of certain food products if the current drought conditions continue, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said yields of wheat and oats were "very, very poor" this year and warned livestock farmers have had to use their winter feed rations because they have been unable to grow grass.
Drought has been declared across large parts of England and the whole of Wales as successive heatwaves left water supplies under strain, with more than 20 million people now under hosepipe bans.
Amber heat health alerts have also been issued for large parts of England, including the Midlands, the South-East and the South West, until Wednesday.
Speaking to the BBC, Bradshaw said high temperatures and drought conditions have placed all areas of farming under increasing pressure.
Vegetable producers, he said, are running low on water, reducing the amount of food produced in the UK and increasing the cost it takes to grow it.
"We can't change what's happening at the moment, there is no water in our rivers, but we must use this to take action for the future," he said.
"We have to recognise that water security is a critical part of our food security and food security is our national security."
He called on the government to invest more heavily in reservoirs, saying too much water that could be collected during winter is instead pumped out into the North Sea.
"We can't change what's happening at the moment, there is no water in our rivers, but we must use this to take action for the future," he said.
He suggested farmers should be given tax breaks to build water storage systems to prepare for the years ahead.
"We have taken our food supply for granted for far too long," he added.
"Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well.
"It does feel like there is going be some shortages of [food] products", Bradshaw told Radio 4's Broadcasting House.
In a message to Prime Minister Andy Burnham he said: "Let's draw a line in the sand and make sure we prioritise domestic food production to deliver growth across the UK."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Shortages of certain food products will occur if drought conditions continue.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific food products are most at risk of shortage?
- How will the government respond to the NFU's calls for investment and tax breaks?
