The recent hot weather has caused experts to warn of the increasing risks to UK food production caused by the increasing frequency of such events.
The statements came as Met Office scientists published a new study detailing the increasing likelihood of extreme temperatures in the UK. In it they warn that the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK is accelerating quickly.
The study also examined the length of heatwaves, with Dr Nick Dunstone of the Met Office explaining, “The well-known hot summer of 1976 had more than a fortnight above 28°C, which is a key heatwave threshold in southeast England. Our study finds that in today’s climate such conditions could persist for a month or more. These findings highlight the need to prepare and plan for the impacts of rising temperatures now, so we can better protect public health, infrastructure, and the environment from the growing threat of extreme heat.”
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos commented, “It’s yet another reminder of the increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather our farmers and growers are facing. After warnings of thunderstorms at the start of the month, this switch to hot, dry weather reinforces just how urgently we need long-term planning and investment in water resilience.
“Drought puts immense pressure on crops, livestock and grass growth and threatens the availability of homegrown fruit and veg. Investing in water infrastructure – from on-farm rainwater harvesting to more flexible abstraction rules – will help farmers manage these extremes, grow more fresh produce here in the UK and reduce reliance on imports from other water scarce countries.”
Rodger Hobson, carrot grower at Hobson Farming and chair of British Carrot Growers Association (BCGA) told the Fresh Produce Journal that growers are spending fortunes on crops to keep them growing. “We have a massive drought going on. We had a bit of rainfall in the week of 20 May, an average amount, but that’s the only rain we’ve had since 20 March,” he explained. “The early crop looks good. But we’re spending an absolute fortune on watering and committing all our water resources to the early crop, because we have to,” said Hobson, who said it’s too early to determine the effects on yields.
“The maincrop looks mixed – only time will tell. It’s very uneven germination because of the drought. At this point in the season, it’s all to play for.”
Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), pointed out that the effects of the current weather could last beyond the current season. “Crops are struggling, harvests are coming earlier and lighter, and many farmers are seeing yields fall without any meaningful uplift in prices to offset the loss,” he said. “What’s worrying is that this doesn’t just hit the current harvest – it will affect food availability into next year too.”
