LONDON - More than a third of UK farmers see climate change as a threat to their livelihood, far more than see opportunities in growing new crops, the National Farmers Union said in a report issued on Monday.
The report said adverse impacts included reduced yields for some crops linked to lower summer rain, increased disease and pest problems due to warmer temperatures and potential higher drying costs for late harvests caused by more winter rains.
The NFU, however, also outlined possible benefits including a lengthening of the growing season leading to a greater availability of UK-grown produce throughout the year while a marked decline in the number of frosts may allow more farmers to grow crops like apricots, peaches and walnuts.
The report was released to coincide with the start of a United Nations conference on global warming in Montreal.
A survey by the NFU of its members showed that 36 percent saw climate change as a threat to their livelihood while only 17 percent believed it provide an opportunity.
The NFU said agriculture can play a key role in helping Britain cut greenhouse gas emissions with crops able to produce fuel and electricity with significantly less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels.
"We need a higher priority for renewable energy production and we should reward energy conservation rather than simply penalise energy use," the report said.
The report also said the use of locally produced products save emissions related to the transport of farm goods while feed changes to make forage more digestable can reduce the amount of methane, a significant greenhouse gas, produced by cattle.
The NFU called for the appointment of a dedicated government minister to co-ordinate climate change review and energy policy and said potential impacts need further research.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
