The National Farmers' Union Has Warned That Prolonged Drought Conditions Could Lead to Shortages of Certain Food Products'

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned that prolonged drought conditions could lead to shortages of certain food products. NFU president Tom Bradshaw said wheat and oat yields were "very, very poor" this year, and livestock farmers have been forced to use winter feed rations because they could not grow grass. Drought has been declared across large parts of England and all of Wales, with more than 20 million people now under hosepipe bans.

Amber heat health alerts are in place for much of England, including the Midlands, south-east and south-west, until Wednesday. Bradshaw told the BBC that high temperatures and drought had put all areas of farming under increasing pressure. Vegetable producers are running low on water, reducing UK food output and raising production costs.

"We have to recognise that water security is a critical part of our food security and food security is our national security, he said. He urged the government to invest more heavily in reservoirs, arguing that too much water that could be collected in winter was instead being pumped into the North Sea. "We can't change what's happening at the moment, there is no water in our rivers, but we must use this to take action for the future, he added.

Bradshaw also suggested tax breaks for farmers to build water storage systems on their land. "We have taken our food supply for granted for far too long, he said. "Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well.

It does feel like there is going be some shortages of [food] products. In a message to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, he said: "Let's draw a line in the sand and make sure we prioritise domestic food production to deliver growth across the UK. After a wet and mild start to the year, the UK has experienced exceptionally dry and hot conditions with successive heatwaves.

Low rainfall and prolonged heat have quickly depleted water reserves in soils, vegetation and rivers. While droughts can occur naturally, climate change is making weather patterns more erratic and heatwaves more frequent and intense, increasing the risk of more severe and longer-lasting droughts. The Met Office reported that England saw just 5.6mm of rainfall up to 30 July – only 8% of its long-term average for the month and less than half the previous record of 13.4mm set in 1911. Wales received 7.9mm, also 8% of its average and almost a third of the previous record of 22.6mm, also set in 1911. Heat health alerts remain in place across most of England until at least 09:00 BST on Wednesday.

Amber alerts indicate a likely rise in deaths among vulnerable people and increased demand on health services, while yellow alerts indicate these are possible. The Environment Agency has declared drought in more than half of England."