UK farmers and growers are working hard to be better prepared for climate change, with more than a quarter of all farms taking action, according to a new report.

The new NFU report The Recovery: Why Farming Matters the union makes it clear farmers are investing in more efficient ways of irrigating crops, rainwater harvesting and in helping biodiversity to adapt by taking part in partnership working such as the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and Environmental Stewardship.

The news comes as the Committee on Climate Change’s Adaptation Sub-Committee (ASC) published the first national assessment of how well-prepared the UK is for climate change.

Reliant on natural resources themselves, farmers have first-hand knowledge of the challenges looming in the 21st century of limited resources and climate change as highlighted. This states that

NFU climate change adviser Dr Ceris Jones said: “With little evidence of awareness of the risks of climate change being consistently translated into action on the ground, the ASC assessment advises government to work to remove barriers and provide stronger signals, including adequate climate information as well as price and regulatory incentives to enable the action required.

“Like the Adaptation Sub-Committee, the NFU views climate change projections with concern not just for their domestic but also their international impact. Responding to the ASC report, DEFRA secretary of state Caroline Spelman spoke of a ‘wake up call’.

“However British farmers and growers are already adapting to the changing climate, and we do see genuine opportunities for the industry including longer growing seasons, new varieties of crops and diversification in terms of producing green, renewable energy on-farm.”

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