UK farmers warn of possible food shortages as drought damages crops

UK farmers have warned that prolonged drought and repeated heatwaves are damaging crops, raising concerns over potential shortages of some food products and prompting calls for greater government support.

The warning comes as temperatures are forecast to reach 34C, with heat health alerts in place across eight regions of England, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

The government says drought conditions now affect around half of England.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said crops including wheat and oats have been badly affected by the lack of rainfall. NFU president Tom Bradshaw said:

"We have taken our food supply for granted for far too long. Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well."

He added:

"It does feel like there is going be some shortages of [food] products."

Calling for investment in water infrastructure, Mr Bradshaw said:

"We have to recognise that water security is a critical part of our food security and food security is our national security."

He also urged ministers to introduce tax incentives to help farmers build water storage facilities.

According to the Met Office, England recorded just 5.6mm of rainfall up to 30 July—around 8% of the long-term average for the month and lower than the previous July record low set in 1911.

The extreme weather is also affecting dairy farming, with higher temperatures reducing cows' appetite and milk production.

Sophie Gregory, a dairy farmer in Dorset, said:

“We’ve got 600 dairy cows on our farm and keeping them – and us – cool in this heat is a challenge.

"Their milk yields drop in hot weather because they tend to eat less, so this is both a matter of animal welfare and food production that we take very seriously."

She said farmers were using shade, fans, misting systems and extra drinking water to protect livestock, adding:

"Farmers like us are on the front line of climate change though, and the only way to stop heat waves like this getting worse is reducing global and national emissions’."

By Aghakazim Guliyev