Following the news that parts of the UK need heavy rain until the end of March to avoid drought this summer, the NFU’s president has said “as sure as night follows day, if it doesn’t rain, food is going to cost more money”.
Peter Kendall was addressing a press briefing on the first day of the NFU annual conference in Birmingham this week.
The issue of water was a key topic of discussion at the event following a government drought summit the day before and an announcement that the south east of England is officially in a state of drought.
DEFRA’s Caroline Speman told reporters Britain is on course for a hosepipe ban this summer and warned drier winters could become common for the UK.
“We couldn’t have known back in November that we weren’t going to get much rain but it emphasises the point; dry winters could be the new norm,” she said. “ôè°te drought summit was really looking at future opportunities for improving resil- ience. ôè°te most important thing we can do is catch the water when it comes. Not just for agriculture but for everyone who needs it.”
-Two dry winters could mean bad water shortages this summer
ôè°te problem is the UK needs a lot of rain to avoid a drought. Analysts say 120 per cent of normal UK rain- fall across February and March is essential if a water shortage is to be avoided this summer, but the Met Office is predicting more dry weather.
Asked what impact this would have on food prices, Spelman said “globally it’s clear water is a very serious constraint on food production capacity”.
Kendall added: “As sure as night follows day, if it doesn’t rain, food is going to cost more money. If there is less water across bigger areas of northern Europe, food will cost more money. In the Foresight report it’s very clear, we have massive competing challenges that are coming together.”
With water supplies running low, the Midlands is predicted to be the next area of the country added to the drought list.
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