Key facts
- England and Wales are officially in drought.
- July is set to be the driest month on record.
- Persistent heatwaves are intensifying the drought.
- The climate crisis is cited as a factor in the heatwaves.
- Wildfires have occurred due to the dry conditions.
- Water scarcity is affecting farmers.
- Historical sites have been exposed by the drought.
- The UK's food supply is threatened by the drought.
- Wheat and oat yields are very poor.
- Winter feed for livestock is depleted.
- The National Farmers' Union is urging government investment in water security and reservoirs.
England and Wales are officially experiencing drought conditions, with July on track to be the driest month ever recorded. Persistent heatwaves, intensified by the climate crisis, have led to significant water scarcity across the regions. The drought has fueled wildfires and exposed historical sites, highlighting the severity of the situation. Farmers are particularly affected, facing challenges with water availability for their crops and livestock. Tom Bradshaw, the head of the UK's National Farmers' Union, has issued a stark warning that the ongoing drought could jeopardize the nation's food supply. He noted that yields for key crops like wheat and oats have been very poor. Additionally, winter feed for livestock is depleted, raising concerns about the welfare and availability of farm animals. Bradshaw is calling for urgent government investment in water security measures, including the development of new reservoirs, to mitigate the impact of future droughts and ensure a stable food supply for the country.