Farms suffering from impact of UK drought

FARMING leaders say the agricultural sector is being badly affected after more parts of the country were officially said to be in drought.

- EMILY BEAMENT

England is now suffering from a “nationally significant” lack of rainfall, officials have warned, with the National Drought Group saying five areas of the country remain in drought and six more are in prolonged dry weather status.

England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.

Experts warn climate change is driving more extreme weather conditions in the UK, worsening drought and dry spells, and making heatwaves more frequent and severe.