Impact of heat stress on food chains and farm animals: comments
ECIU and other experts comment on the impact of heat stress on the food system and farmed animals.
By Jez Fredenburgh
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Following the Met Office’s confirmation that yesterday was the hottest day in May on record, beating Monday’s record, ECIU and other experts comment on the impact of heat stress on the food system and farmed animals:
Jez Fredenburgh, senior analyst – food and climate, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU): “The UK’s food system, including nature and farmed animals, is increasingly coming under strain from periods of high heat, sometimes with disastrous consequences. For example, during summer 2022, when temperatures reached more than 40C in the UK, around 18,500 chickens died in transport due to heat stress [1] and wildfire incidents increased by more than 300% compared to the year before [2].
“Heat stress is already causing economic losses of £205 million annually across wheat, barley, oats, dairy cattle, free range hens, and lambs, according to research included in the Climate Change Committees latest adaptation report. In an ‘extreme year’ (from a high climate and business-as-usual agriculture scenario) this could rocket to as much as £2.3 billion in the 2030s [3]. Farmers and consumers cannot afford this pressure.
“There’s lots we can do to adapt, like planting trees to shade livestock and reduce the number of animals in a single indoor system, but ultimately reducing emissions and hitting net zero is the only way to stop heat stress getting worse.”
Martin Lines, farmer and CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network: "The current heat across the UK is another reminder that farmers are on the frontline of climate change. Prolonged high temperatures place huge stress on livestock, dry out soils and reduce crop resilience, all while putting more pressure on nature.
“We know there are practical ways to help farming cope with these extremes, like planting more trees, restoring hedgerows and improving soil health. These measures can cool landscapes, retain water and support wildlife at the same time. Nature-friendly farming shows what is achievable on our farms.
“But adaptation can only go so far unless we urgently cut the emissions driving climate change and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels worldwide.”
Dr Jonathan Amory, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University: “Heat stress is a significant welfare concern for farm animals and its occurrence is increasing with more hot days per year as the climate changes. Heat stress reduces food intake, production levels, fertility measures and impairs immune function in all livestock species and is associated with hunger, thirst, dehydration and frustration that are all important indicators of poor well-being. Dairy cows are particularly vulnerable due to milk production increasing metabolism. Humidity is an important factor and for typical UK levels dairy cows can show signs of heat stress above 20°C with each additional degree further increasing the risk.
“The relatively high humidity of the UK makes efficient heat loss difficult for farm animals. That makes good building design essential for efficient ventilation, good temperature control and reliable monitoring systems giving real time data to allow early intervention by farmers. Grazing animals need opportunities for shade and access to clean water. Heat stress is more than a production issue - it is a serious challenge to animal welfare.”
Chris Manley, founder, Traction Consulting (sustainable supply chain consultant): “High temperatures are putting growing pressure on the food supply chain, especially the cold chain that keeps fresh food safe from field to shelf. Heatwaves increase refrigeration demand, shorten harvest windows and reduce the time available to cool and transport produce before quality drops. Recent industry insight shows fresh produce and top fruit markets can flip from shortage to surplus within days during extreme heat, overwhelming chill capacity and increasing waste.
“The impact reaches far beyond refrigeration. Extreme heat reduces livestock productivity, raises animal welfare risks and slows labour and transport operations across the supply chain. Combined with rising energy costs, water stress and wider geopolitical pressures, these events highlight how vulnerable food systems have become. Climate disruption is no longer a future threat. Without faster action on mitigation and adaptation, supply chain disruption will become more frequent and more costly.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Carbon Brief: https://www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-thousands-of-chickens-in-transit-died-from-heat-stress-on-day-uk-hit-40c/
2. NFCC: https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/public-policy/position-statements/wildfires-position-statement/
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, t: 020 8156 5305, m: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net