The past year has starkly demonstrated the cost that extreme weather events can wreak on farmers and highlights the need for fresh thinking from government, is the NFU president’s new year message.
Mr Kendall called for a new approach on farm policy as farmers and growers enter 2013 reeling from the consequences of extreme weather events around the world.
He said: “We know drought in the key production regions across the globe is the main driver for rocketing animal feed costs while in stark contrast, at home, a wash-out summer further compounded by a sodden autumn and winter has hammered production.
“Climate change scientists have long predicted that agriculture will face major challenges from global warming. However 2012 has starkly demonstrated the cost that extreme weather events can wreak on farmers and the food supply chain.”
It is estimated 2012’s weather caused a black hole of £1.3 billion on Britain’s farms.