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United Kingdom: Farmland drought threatens food security

United Kingdom: Farmland drought threatens food security
United Kingdom: Farmland drought threatens food security

The United Kingdom is facing an exceptional drought that is severely impacting much of its agriculture. More than half of England is officially affected, following several heatwaves and a July marked by historically low rainfall.

Cereal, potato, and vegetable crops are experiencing a significant drop in yield. Some farmers have harvested earlier than planned to salvage part of their production. In livestock farming, the lack of grass is already forcing farmers to use the forage reserves normally stored for winter.

The UK forced to import more

Poor domestic harvests are forcing distributors to increase their vegetable imports, particularly from Spain and the Netherlands. This solution remains precarious, as several European countries are also experiencing extreme temperatures and a significant lack of rainfall.

British farmers are calling on the government to support the construction of water reservoirs and the development of more heat-resistant crops. They warn that recurring droughts could lead to a sustained rise in food prices and make the country even more dependent on imports.

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