Drought in England and Wales threatens food production and raises wildfire risk
- Reports
- 3
- Developments
- 10
- Repetition
- 67%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
Drought conditions are impacting food production across England and Wales. July was recorded as the driest month ever in England and Wales, and the NFU warned of impending food shortages. The NFU also cautioned that tinder-dry weather increases the risk of wildfires across the UK, threatening crops and livestock.
Why it matters
The drought is jeopardizing food supplies and is causing industry bodies to face rising production and manufacturing costs. The NFU warned that the consequences could affect soil health and grassland productivity, putting pressure on the government to intervene with policy changes regarding water licenses and agricultural support.
ECIU analyzed shared experiences of extreme weather events in England and Wales.
From fwi.co.uk, farminguk.com
Who's involved
- NFUThe NFU warned of food shortages and lobbied the government regarding agricultural policy issues.
- Victoria AtkinsVictoria Atkins wrote to the current Defra secretary demanding urgent action on food security.
- governmentThe government is facing demands for policy intervention regarding water licenses and agricultural support.
- EnglandEngland is experiencing direct operational impact on its primary agricultural sector due to drought.
- WalesWales is experiencing shared operational stress due to drought conditions affecting its agricultural base.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- governmentSpeculative
The government may face pressure for policy intervention regarding water licenses and agricultural support.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Drought pressures government to address food security and water shortagesGovernment faces demands for urgent action amid drought-driven food shortagesLikely
- Water Minister Emma Hardy must address drought's threat to food securityEmma Hardy faces pressure to formulate policy responses to drought-driven food shortagesLikely
- Drought-driven food shortages may require HM Treasury to adjust financial supportHM Treasury may need to adjust financial support due to drought-driven food shortagesPossible
- Drought in Wales may increase regulatory pressure on Natural Resources WalesNatural Resources Wales may face increased regulatory pressure managing drought impactsPossible
- Drought in England and Wales may increase Environment Agency's reporting demandsDrought in England and Wales may increase the Environment Agency's operational reporting demandsPossible
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- NFU warns the Public Accounts Committee about food security risks after hearing from an Oxfordshire farmer.Sub-event
- NFU called on the government to set ambitious food targets.Sub-event
- Uplands summits are addressing production threats faced by upland farms in North Wales, which are key suppliers of high-quality beef and lamb.Sub-event
- The NFU is lobbying Members of Parliament regarding agricultural policy issues in England due to ongoing drought losses affecting farming businesses.Sub-event
- Agricultural challenges require organized representation. The Environment Agency is providing support for water management in England.Sub-event
- Food industry bodies in England and Wales are facing rising production and manufacturing costs due to drought and global conflicts.Sub-event
- Shared drought conditions impacting forage crops in England and Wales.Sub-event
- Industry bodies in England are facing supply pressure due to drought affecting production across regions.Sub-event
Show 2 earlier steps
- Drought conditions are severely impacting agricultural output in North Wales, leading to production cuts at local dairy farms.Sub-event
NFU warns of food shortages and Atkins demands government action over drought in England and Wales.1 source