Latest news with #NationalFarmers'Union
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Pea shortage fears over earliest harvest in 14 years
Farmers fear there will be a shortage of British-grown peas in supermarket freezers after long spells of sunshine and dry weather resulted in the earliest harvest in 14 to the National Farmers' Union (NFU), vining pea growers across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and East Yorkshire have seen up to a 30% drop in the number of peas picked and processed this pea grower in Louth said he believed the drop in yield "could result in shortages".According to the Met Office, England had its driest spring in more than 100 years, followed by its warmest June on record. Some areas experienced three heatwaves in quick succession in June and July, with the intense warmth drawing more moisture out of the Moreton, a regional NFU chair in Lincolnshire, said crops had been "drying out and dying because of the extreme heat and the lack of moisture"."The east coast is your primary vining pea land. It's all good, well drained land that peas like to grow on. But it's not looking good at the moment. I've never known the viners go out so early. I really haven't."The British peas will be in short supply this year but, unless the rain does something really amazing or unless there's a really good end to the season, we are going to look at shortages." Ian Watson is an operations manager for a pea grower in Louth called Stemgold Peas which works with more than 3,500 farms across Lincolnshire. They usually produce about 6,000 tonnes of peas a year, of which 5,000 are sold frozen while the remainder are said their harvesting period would normally begin in the middle of June and continue until the end of August, but this year the harvest started on 4 June "which is incredibly early". "We've seen challenges right from the start of the season whereby soils have been very dry, very hard, very difficult to work," said Mr Watson. "We're seeing very, very thin crops. They're not going to yield." Mr Watson said the crops were so stressed by the weather, the number of peas in a pod had dropped by more than half, from up to 10 to "two big round peas and the rest have shrivelled up and died"."In some instances, we're going to actually lose crops," he said. "It's not just here. They're finding the same further south into Norfolk and east Suffolk. They're having an even worse time than we are."Mr Watson said the recent rainfall was "too little, too late" and feared a "shortage of UK-grown peas". Tom Screeton works as a senior agriculture fieldsman at Birds Eye looking after pea fields in East Yorkshire. The company works with more than 250 growers who usually harvest about 35,000 tonnes of peas a year in said the drought meant the peas were maturing at a faster rate than they were able to be harvested."We have a two-and-a-half-hour window to get these peas from being picked fresh in the field to being frozen at the end of the line in the factory. That process involves the harvesting, then haulage into the factory from up to 40 miles (64km) away, and then freezing when it gets to Hull. "So the fact that whole process has moved so much more quickly has been quite a challenge." Michelle Lawrie is a quality manager at Birds Eye, checking the condition of the harvested produce. A pea taster, she samples about 32 plates of peas on a daily basis during the season."The sweetness depends on the weather. This year in particular we've had a lot of sun so the peas are very, very sweet this year - exceptionally so."Mr Screeton said the firm was looking at ways to mitigate challenges brought on by the fluctuating extreme weather. Last year, the wet spring meant farmers struggled to plant crops in time and resulted in a longer harvest with peas not maturing."I think going forward we can work on building more robust varieties as part of our breeding programme with more drought tolerant and stress resistant varieties."That's an ongoing process, but fundamentally with mother nature we're at the mercy of the elements and we just have to manage it as best we can." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Powys County Times
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Powys County Times
Up to five more regions could face drought this year, Environment Agency says
Up to five more regions could be in a drought by September with more hosepipe bans on the way, the Environment Agency has warned. The watchdog said it will announce its expectations for more areas of England to enter 'drought' status as the National Drought Group – a coalition of sector leaders and officials – meets on Tuesday. Currently, three areas of the UK – Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire – are in drought, and three water companies have announced hosepipe bans following one of the UK's driest springs on record. But millions more people could face these conditions across the Midlands and central southern regions this year, under the Environment Agency's reasonable worst cast scenario. If England gets 80% of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the watchdog forecasts. In this scenario, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire could also be in drought by the end of the summer. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the 'prolonged dry weather category'. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
The Herald Scotland
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Up to five more regions could face drought this year, Environment Agency says
Currently, three areas of the UK – Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire – are in drought, and three water companies have announced hosepipe bans following one of the UK's driest springs on record. But millions more people could face these conditions across the Midlands and central southern regions this year, under the Environment Agency's reasonable worst cast scenario. If England gets 80% of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the watchdog forecasts. In this scenario, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire could also be in drought by the end of the summer. To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers' Union and local authorities. In a briefing to reporters on Monday, Richard Thompson, water resources deputy director of the watchdog, said: 'We certainly expect more regions to enter drought status. 'We'll be announcing that at the National Drought group tomorrow. That could extend further, depending under a reasonable worst case scenario. 'Obviously, if we were to get average rainfall or above, it might slow down the rate in which new parts of the country enter official drought status, but we do expect more.' An aerial view of dry fields (Owen Humphreys/PA) Mr Thompson said the watchdog is planning towards its reasonable worst case scenario but has also 'stress tested' these preparations against some more extreme scenarios where hot and dry conditions could push even more areas into drought, and faster. 'We continue to respond to the current situation, but also to prepare for all eventualities,' he said. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the 'prolonged dry weather category'. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Scientists said the recent extreme conditions have been made more likely due to human-caused climate change, bringing wide-ranging impacts on farmers and the environment. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been 'deteriorating' with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. 'These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years,' Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is 'no strong signal' for it being very dry or extremely wet. 'It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole,' he said. Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a 'flash drought' that saw drought conditions occurring 'really, really quickly', he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. 'We haven't had any widespread reports so far,' he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why the US trade deal could come with a long-term health cost for the UK
British farmers and food safety campaigners have been sounding the alarm over the recent deal struck between the UK and US. The agreement offers unprecedented access to US agricultural exports such as beef and ethanol into the UK market. While some hailed this as a breakthrough after previous talks stagnated under Joe Biden's administration, critics argue it could undercut domestic producers, introduce lower standards for food and even compromise public health. With the cost of living remaining high, cheaper US imports may look appealing to British consumers. But many fear the products may come at a longer-term cost. The UK government has insisted it will not compromise on standards. Hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken remain banned. But critics are sceptical. At the White House, US trade officials suggested food rules should be based on science, hinting at renewed pressure to permit products currently excluded by UK law. But public opinion in the UK strongly supports high food standards. Surveys show most UK consumers reject hormone-fed beef and chlorinated chicken, valuing animal welfare and food safety. Given this, any shift toward US-style practices could trigger a backlash. The deal's language – promising to 'enhance agricultural market access' – raises concerns that this may be only the first step. Food safety advocates fear a slow erosion of standards under commercial pressure. Under the terms of the deal, the UK will allow in 13,000 tonnes of US beef tariff-free — a huge change from the 1,000-tonne cap (with a 20% tariff) previously in place. In exchange, the US will grant a matching quota for UK beef. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) welcomed improved US market access. But domestically, many farmers feel exposed. They worry that cheap US beef, even if hormone-free, will undercut UK cattle raised under stricter welfare and environmental rules. Feedlot beef from the American Midwest is typically cheaper, prompting fears of price pressure. The NFU says this could be a 'disaster' for British farming. Supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's say they will continue sourcing 100% British beef, but farmers fear US meat could enter the wholesale and catering sectors. There's also concern about ethanol – a biofuel typically sourced from crops such as corn or wheat and used primarily as a petrol additive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK has eliminated a 19% tariff and opened a quota of 1.4 billion litres of US corn ethanol. But this threatens domestic bioethanol plants, which purchase millions of tonnes of British wheat each year for ethanol production. It plays a crucial role in supporting UK arable farming and rural economies. The NFU has warned that this could destabilise farm incomes, reduce local feed supplies and endanger the production of CO², which is used widely in food packaging, refrigeration and the carbonation of drinks across the UK industry. The NFU said the deal overlooked the complex role these plants play in the UK's food system. But cheaper imports could ease grocery bills in the UK, a welcome prospect given food price inflation peaked at more than 19% in 2023. Cheaper beef might help households increase their protein intake. For lower-income families, for example, small savings on staples could really improve nutrition. However, not all cheap calories are healthy. Britons are already encouraged to eat less red meat on health grounds. Increased access to cheaper beef could nudge intakes beyond recommended levels. Restaurateur Henry Dimbleby, the UK government's former food strategy lead, has argued that undermining domestic standards for short-term savings risks health and environmental setbacks. Food safety is another issue. While the government says all imports will meet UK standards, future trade negotiations could challenge that. Country-of-origin labelling and enforcement will be essential for consumer confidence. There's also the risk of more ultra-processed food entering the UK. The deal may increase imports of US cereals, drinks and snack foods. While not inherently unsafe, many health advocates worry about worsening rates of obesity and diabetes if heavily processed products become cheaper and more common in the UK. Trade can bring benefits — but food isn't just another commodity. It intersects with health, environment and rural life. The NFU warns that Britain's high standards shouldn't be quietly traded away under pressure from US agribusiness. The UK government claims it has preserved food protections while expanding trade. What will be key is whether consumers see real savings, as well as whether supermarkets stick to British meat. If not, it remains to be seen whether UK farmers can compete or if they will be squeezed out. Crucially, UK regulators must hold the line if the US pushes harder. A prosperous deal should not just mean more trade — but safer, healthier and fairer food for all. Manoj Dora is a Professor in Sustainable Production and Consumption at Anglia Ruskin University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Leader Live
29-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
MP details the Governments strategic agreement with the EU
MP for Clwyd East Following on from recent trade deals struck with the USA and India, the Government has announced a new strategic agreement with the EU which supports jobs, lowers bills and secures our borders. The deal includes a new agreement to make it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported by reducing the red tape that placed burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border. The EU is the UK's largest trading partner, so after the 21% drop in exports and 7% drop in imports seen since Brexit, the UK will also be able to sell various products, back into the EU again, supporting these vital industries. I'm pleased that this has been welcomed by the business community alongside both the National Farmers' Union and the Farmers' Union of Wales. It also includes measures to enhance our ability to catch dangerous criminals and ensure they face justice more quickly. The UK will enter talks about access to EU facial images data for the first time, on top of the existing arrangements for DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data. The Agreement also focuses on further work on finding solutions to tackle illegal migration – including on returns and a joint commitment to tackle channel crossings. The UK and EU have also reached a new twelve-year agreement that protects Britain's fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters, providing stability and certainty for the sector. Another announcement this week, as the Prime Minister has made it clear that, as the economy improves, the Government wants to ensure that more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments. Any changes will be announced as part of a fiscal event, with further details coming forward in due course. This is extremely welcome news and I will be pressing for further details to be released as early as possible. Finally, the assisted dying legislation has begun its Report Stage in the House of Commons. At the end of the debate, which will return on 13 June, I voted for a new clause, which expands the protections to ensure that no person is under any duty to provide assistance to someone to end their life in accordance with the Bill. Essentially meaning that if people, including medical professionals, don't want to be involved, they should not have to be involved. I want to thank every constituent who has fed their views into me over the last few months, either by email or at one of the events I have held around Clwyd East. Please do get in touch:
