Drought could cause price rises and shortages into next year, farmers warn
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Oilseed rape, a key source of oil that is used in thousands of products on supermarket shelves, would normally be planted from this month but the National Farmers’ Union said most were “not even thinking” about it because conditions are so bad and seeds would not germinate. Stephen Briggs, a farmer in Cambridgeshire, said a “perfect storm” of factors, including a post-Brexit labour shortage, meant that “at best we will have big food price rises, at worst we will have shortages” unless the government takes urgent action. That is changing and we need to adapt.” The Labour Party accused the government of “poor planning and neglect” towards the UK’s water system. “This is pretty unprecedented – I’ve been farming here since 1980, and there are springs that I've never seen dry before that are completely dried up,” Mr Milton said.
History of this topic
Farmers’ confidence at all-time low after months of wet weather
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Farmers issue urgent warning over food shortages after torrential downpours
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Farmers say their plight amid drought has been ignored in the electoral rhetoric
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Climate change may force more farmers and ranchers to consider irrigation -- at a steep cost
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Drought could continue into 2023, Environment Agency warns
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Drought could continue into next year amid ‘exceptionally low’ river levels, Environment Agency warns
The Independent
Why is Britain not better prepared for this drought?
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