Britain faces food shortages within months, warn farmers - AOLhttps://www.aol.com/articles/britain-faces-food-shortages-within-154451000.htmlMore than a dozen farming organisations said they were at “crisis point” on Friday, warning that next year’s food production was at risk without government action.
The worst harvest since 1984 and a spike in livestock deaths have left many farmers without the cash needed to sow their fields for the coming year.
Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said: “Farmers face an immediate crisis in cash flow and confidence.
“Rain has come too late for lost harvests and slashed yields, while livestock farmers are dealing with the worst bluetongue outbreak to reach our shores.”
Mr Bradshaw, who farms in Hertfordshire, added: “Many are worried they will not have money in the bank to plant next year’s crops or replace livestock.”
Autumn normally sees farmers planting wheat and barley, which are harvested the following summer. However, farmers are under pressure from high fertiliser and red diesel prices, as well as low amounts being paid for grain from the poor harvest that has just passed.
Fertiliser, which is currently £460 per tonne, is imported through the Strait of Hormuz. The war in Iran has put a squeeze on supply and driven up prices.