The Impact of Flooding & Climate Change.

In 2023, farms contributed less to England’s economy. Severe flooding rendered the harvesting of many crops impossible. The total agricultural income in England was £4.5 billion, down by £1.1 billion or 19% from the previous year. According to Defra, the decline was driven by a substantial decrease in crop output, caused by falling crop prices, such as wheat, and poor yields. Now farmers are calling for increased government support as climate change intensifies, making it difficult for agricultural businesses to rely on the traditionally mild UK weather and contending with drought and floods.

The Met Office reported that England experienced 1,695.9 mm of rain from October 2022 to March 2024, marking the highest rainfall in any 18 months since records began in 1836. Scientists suggest that climate breakdown will likely result in more intense rainfall.

Farmers will soon lose the flat rate of government support as the EU-derived basic payments scheme is being phased out. Instead, UK farms will need to participate in environmental schemes to qualify for government funding. Previously, basic payments helped businesses weather bad years and low commodity prices. However, uncertainty now looms as the new Labour government has not committed to maintaining the £2.4 billion annual budget for environmental land management schemes established by the previous Conservative government.

The farming community is urging the government to step up support to ensure the sustainability and security of the agricultural sector amidst the growing challenges posed by climate change.