UK Farmers Warn of 25-50% Crop Losses as Record Drought Stokes Food Security Fears
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 7
UK Farmers Warn of 25-50% Crop Losses as Record Drought Stokes Food Security Fears
1 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 7
Summary
English farmers are reporting crop yields down 25% to 50% after the Met Office logged the driest July on record, with oats, wheat, peas and quinoa among the hardest-hit crops.
Suffolk farmer John Pawsey said his own yields fell 25% to 30% and one quinoa crop failed entirely after months with almost no rain, leaving fields dry enough to throw up dust at harvest.
National Farmers' Union president Tom Bradshaw warned prolonged drought could cause shortages, while lower profits are also stripping farmers of the cash needed to invest in adaptation.
Experts say Britain must shift toward more diverse, less import-dependent farming systems and crops better suited to hotter, drier conditions, with ministers pointing to nine planned reservoirs and wider water investment.
Food security has moved to the center of the climate debate, with analysts warning worsening heat and drought could force higher prices, more state support and even changes in British diets.