The Climate Change Committee in its latest report “ A Well-Adapted UK” states that farming in the UK must adapt and diversify to remain viable and protect domestic food production from intensifying heat, flooding and drought.
The country’s reliance on food imports also risks climate related price inflation according to the government’s climate advisers.
From now through to 2050, the CCC recommends maintaining domestic food production at no less than 60%. Ultimately, some farms may need to shift production entirely to grow crops that are more appropriate for future climate conditions.
The CCC has put forward several recommendations for the government to incentivise farmers and growers to shift to sustainable long-term food production over the next two years. Among those is greater practical support for farms to invest in on-site water storage, improved soil resilience, crop diversification, and more climate-resilient food supply chains.
The organisation also calls for barriers to adaptation to be removed, including making it easier for farms to store water, and for public subsidies to support long-term food production while encouraging climate resilience.
For further information read the report in full at A Well-Adapted UK