More UK drought warnings issued: comment

"The warning of poor yields this year as a result of the record breaking dry spring and recent extreme heat brings into sharp focus the challenges that farmers face as a result of climate change.

"As water for irrigation becomes less available after farmers have had to use water earlier than ever before, it is likely that high value crops such as vegetables and potatoes will be hit too unless we see significant rainfall in the coming weeks. 
 
"The effects of extreme weather on our food and farming system are now the new normal [2], and only by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero can we be sure to prevent these impacts escalating further. Support for farmers to adapt is also key, with investment into new green farming schemes vital now to building the resilience of domestic food production and our long term food security."

Recent research commissioned by ECIU into farmer’s attitudes to climate change and extreme weather revealed the extent to which farmers have been affected by recent extreme weather events, many made worse by climate change. In the past five years, 86% of farmers have been hit by extreme rainfall, 78% by drought and over a half by the impacts of heatwaves. Only 2% have not experienced extreme weather in some form. [3] 

Notes to editors:

1. More areas of country move into drought with dry weather set to continue: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-areas-of-country-move-into-drought-with-dry-weather-set-to-continue 

2. met Office analysis this week showed that record breaking and extreme weather has become increasingly commonplace in the UK as the climate has changed: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/annual-climate-stocktake-shows-weather-records-and-extremes-now-the-norm-in-uk-climate 

3. Farmer confidence battered by climate change – new research: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2025/farmer-confidence-battered-by-climate-change-new-research 

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net