Nearly half of English farmers feel at risk from climate change, says CLA-backed Farming Futures report

Almost half of farmers in England interviewed by Farming Futures, backed by the CLA, say they believe climate change presents more risks than opportunities to their businesses.

The survey revealed that more than 50 percent say they are already affected by climate change, and almost 70 percent expect to be affected in the next ten years.

The new survey results, released today by Farming Futures, also found:

·         All sectors see climate change presenting more risks than opportunities

·         Cereal growers see the most opportunities for their businesses

·         Beef farmers see the most risks to their business from climate change

·         60 percent of farmers are worried about increasingly unpredictable weather

·         44 percent are concerned about flooding

·         34 percent are nervous of droughts

·         Only six percent are concerned about increasing pests and diseases resulting from climate change

Despite many being concerned by the risks, nearly one quarter felt climate change could present new business opportunities, some of which farmers are already benefiting from, including:

• 41 percent report they are growing new or different crops
• 36 percent benefited from milder, warmer weather
• 21 percent expect to benefit from longer growing seasons
• 14 percent look forward to better prices
• 12 percent are investigating new markets for their products

More survey results are available on the new Farming Futures website, which helps farmers, land managers and their advisors with practical ideas to make their businesses more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Farming Futures provides inspiration and information via fact sheets on every farming sector and topical issues such as anaerobic digestion, water and biomass which can be downloaded from www.farmingfutures.org.uk. 

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher features in the videos case studies available on the website where farmers can watch videos, read the case studies of best practice and sign up for free events throughout the year. The events will provide ideas on how to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change now, whilst reducing cost and risk in the future. Farmers can also join online discussions on the Farming Futures Facebook page.

Katie Zabel, Farming Futures project manager said: "The survey results show that English farmers are already affected by climate change and they are starting to take action to both adapt their businesses, and reduce their own impacts.

"Climate change will affect us all, so for farmers and land managers to continue running successful, sustainable businesses in future, they need to think about on-farm adaptation and mitigation action. English farmers and land managers really are part of the solution to climate change. That's why we're inviting them to a series of on-farm workshops throughout the year, and have produced fact sheets and case studies on www.farmingfutures.org.uk. Taking action now can help reduce costs and risks in the future."

 MEDIA CONTACTS:

Further survey results are available from Katie Zabel, project manager: k.zabel@forumforthefuture.org.uk or 07825 204434, or live on www.farmingfutures.org.uk on Friday 16 May

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Out of hours duty phone: 020 7201 9511.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The CLA – the rural economy experts - has a 36,000-strong membership. 

2. For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk

3. The new website goes live on 16 May 2008, containing new fact sheets, case studies, regional maps and illustrations explaining climate change

4. Journalists are invited to attend free on-farm workshops, down load fact sheets, case studies and read about the regional impacts of climate change, please visit: www.farmingfutures.org.uk or call 0207 324 3622.

5. Farming Futures is running a series of events throughout 2008 – please see www.farmingfutures.org.uk for more information and register attendance.

6. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher feature in new video case studies on the website and new fact sheets include: focus on anaerobic digestion, forestry and orchards.

7. These results are the latest in a series of four surveys interviewing farmers about climate change, 479 farmers were questioned in the April 2008 survey.

8.  Agriculture contributes seven per cent of the UK's green house gas emissions – comprising of: 67 per cent nitrous oxide, 37 per cent methane and one per cent carbon dioxide.

9. Farming Futures is a communications collaboration project between Forum for the Future, the NFU, CLA, AIC, AHRF (on behalf of the agricultural and horticultural levy boards) and Defra.

10. Farming Futures is funded by Defra's Farming for the Future Programme until March 2009.

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