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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:
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US-UK tariffs agreement: What you need to know
File Photo: US President Donald Trump with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer What do we know so far? The preliminary deal with the United Kingdom slashes tariffs on British-made cars, eliminates duties on steel and aluminum, and opens the UK market to American farmers. However, the pact, signed at the White House on Thursday, is not the "major trade deal" that Trump touted on social media. A full trade deal takes months or years to negotiate and must be ratified by Congress, which would further extend the timeline. The bilateral agreement is the outline of a limited trade deal that will still need extensive negotiations to finalize. Under the plan, the tariff on British-made cars — the UK's biggest export to the US — will be reduced from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent. That rule applies to the first 100,000 vehicles imported into the US from the UK, which the government said was around the total number of UK-exported cars. Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda Anything above that figure will face tariffs of 25 per cent. Trump's recently imposed 25 per cent tariff on UK steel and aluminum imports will be cut to zero. The White House statement cited the reason as "the economic security measures taken by the UK to combat global steel excess capacity." Most other UK imports will still face a 10per cent tariff under Trump's reciprocal tariff policy announced last month. The UK agreed to cut the tariff on US ethanol to zero, while US farmers will gain access to the UK market for the first time. However, Britain was able to maintain its ban on US chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef, amid concerns about welfare and environmental standards. The UK's National Farmers' Union (NFU) warned that easing UK access to US beef and ethanol would disadvantage domestic producers. "Our biggest concern is that two agricultural sectors have been singled out to shoulder the heavy burden of the removal of tariffs for other industries in the economy," said NFU President Tom Bradshaw in a statement. The tariff on UK aircraft parts will be cut to zero, while the pact also closes loopholes, cuts red tape and boosts protection for intellectual property. It creates a secure supply chain for pharmaceutical products and ensures regulatory alignment to streamline trade in this sector. The agreement also includes provisions for digital trade, facilitating smoother cross-border data flows and enhancing cybersecurity cooperation. Was a good deal struck for both sides? Trump said he was "thrilled to announce that we have reached a breakthrough trade deal with the United Kingdom," adding that the agreement included "billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports." The White House said the deal would create a $5 billion (€4.4 billion) opportunity for new US exports, including beef and ethanol. UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer said the limited deal would save jobs in the British auto and steel sectors and was just the beginning of improved trade with the US. The US was Britain's biggest trading partner last year, according to government statistics, though the bulk of Britain's exports to the US are services rather than goods. UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson, who was alongside Trump at the White House, said the deal would prevent imminent layoffs at a Jaguar Land Rover facility in the West Midlands. But US automakers voiced strong opposition, with Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), saying the deal means "it will now be cheaper to import a UK vehicle with very little US content [parts] than a ... vehicle from Mexico or Canada that is half American parts." US automakers now face 25 per cent tariffs on vehicles assembled in Canada and Mexico. So what happens now? The UK government said the tariff cuts would take effect "as soon as possible." However, the pact is currently just an "agreement in principle" that will need months of detailed negotiations. Outstanding issues on pharmaceuticals, food standards and possibly the UK's digital services tax, which hits US tech giants, will need to be resolved. Any completed deal will need approval by the US Congress, although some parts can be implemented by Trump by executive order. It will also need UK parliamentary scrutiny, and any significant opposition, such as US beef treated with growth hormones, could cause delays. Could the US-UK deal be a roadmap for other countries? The US-UK deal may set the tone for other trading partners to reverse Trump's sweeping tariffs, especially China, whose relations with the Trump administration have hit a new low over tariffs. The US and China are set to meet in Switzerland this weekend, with market watchers hoping for a breakthrough in their standoff. Washington last month raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 per cent, while Beijing retaliated with 125 per cent tariffs on most US imports. Several other countries, including Japan and Vietnam, have lined up to hold talks with Washington to avert the worst of the duties that range from 10 per cent to 49 per cent, excluding China.
