Britain could face food shortages as drought continues, farmers warn
📰 source: theguardian_business · 💼 business
the national farmers' union warns britain could face food shortages after punishing drought across parts of england, with a heatwave set to continue into next week. wheat crops are half their normal height and the harvest is the earliest on record, as some areas have seen no rain for over a month. this is the third drought in five years, and farming groups call it the new normal.
england had just 8% of its average july rainfall, the driest on record, and about 23 million people are under hosepipe bans. nfu president tom bradshaw has asked the prime minister for tax breaks to build water storage, saying shortages of food products feel likely. the agriculture and horticulture development board reports cereal yields below the 10-year average, with farmers working through the night to dodge extreme heat. gavin lane of the country, land and business association warns this could be the last harvest for many, citing a sodden winter followed by drought.
meanwhile, the uk health security agency has issued heat alerts for eight regions, urging precautions for vulnerable groups.
why it matters: persistent drought and record heat threaten britain's food supply, raising risks of shortages and mounting financial strain on farmers.
source: theguardian_business
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