The vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), David Exwood, has said that the situation on the ground continues to be hugely challenging across all farming sectors after an extended period of hot weather.
He added:
“With nine areas of the country now officially in drought, many farmers and growers are facing serious impacts ranging from running out of irrigation water to using winter feed now to feed livestock: in short, increased costs across farming.
“The measures announced by government provide some welcome options for Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship agreement holders. It will allow actions such as cutting or grazing on land in these agreements which will help to ease shortages of bedding, fodder, grazing and forage crops.
“This important derogation, which the NFU has been calling for, will provide some relief to livestock farming businesses which are already using vital winter feed supplies at a time when on-farm costs are continuing to increase significantly.”
Exwood also welcomed the announcement from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) that further rounds of funding for new applicants to the water management grant will open in the autumn.
“The weather over the past six months has highlighted the urgent need for government to take our national food production and resilience seriously by ensuring all departments across Whitehall give due regard to the impact of environmental policies on the country’s ability to produce food,” he added.
“While some areas are now experiencing torrential downpours, many farming sectors continue to be affected by the dry weather situation, and we will continue to monitor the impacts on UK food production immediately and in the longer term.”
