Rise in extreme weather threatens farming
A quarter of farmers feel there have been more storms, gales and high winds in the last 10 years.
Volatile weather is threatening British food production, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has said as it reveals nearly 60 per cent of farmers have been affected by severe weather in the past decade.
A new survey suggests the majority of farmers have noticed an increase in extreme weather. Sixty-six per cent said they had seen more flooding and changes in rainfall, while a quarter felt there had been more storms, gales and high winds.
Worryingly, one in 10 farmers had suffered structural damage from a severe weather event.
"This news comes as a stark reminder that agriculture is on the front line of climate change impacts," said NFU's vice president Guy Smith. "These statistics show the financial and emotional cost that changing weather patterns are having on our members."
As a result, the NFU is calling for increased investment in British agri-science and research into breeding more resilient crops and livestock. It is also asking for government backing to allow farmers to improve field drains and build reservoirs to manage water supplies.
Interestingly, not all farmers were affected by a rise in severe weather, as 10 per cent said they felt winters were getting milder.
The survey findings also show that some farmers are adapting to climate change, taking steps such as reducing stocking levels and increasing winter housing, or changing what they grow and how they grow it.
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